(VOVworld) – Around 10,000 commemorative activities are taking place across Russia to celebrate the 69^th anniversary of World War II victory Day on May 9, including military parades and fireworks in 26 provinces and cities.

Thousands of military veterans and their families watched the parade in Red Square, Moscow. (Photo: APTN)

The Russian Interior Ministry has deployed nearly 165,000 police and more than 10,000 soldiers to stay on alert around the clock to ensure social order during this time.
On Thursday, in light of the Victory Day commemoration, French President Francois Hollande laid a wreath at the tomb of unknown soldiers in Paris. In the Czech Republic, a Victory Day commemoration was held at the National Memorial on Vitkov Hill, in Prague. Government officials, war veterans, Czech citizens, and tourists paid homage to the fallen soldiers who contributed to the people’s liberation from fascism. Approximately 27 million Soviet Union people, including 8 million soldiers, lost their lives during World War II.