On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping was spotted alongside Vladimir Putin while a vast array of Russian troops and military machinery paraded through Moscow’s Red Square as part of the country’s annual Victory Day celebration.
This occasion commemorates the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat at the hands of Russia during World War II. It showcased over 11,500 soldiers and upwards of 180 pieces of military equipment, such as tanks, armored infantry vehicles, and artillery currently used in Ukraine. Additionally, drones employed by Russia in the conflict were prominently featured, as reported by Reuters.
Putin praised the courage and resolve of the Russian forces engaged in the conflict, stating, “We are proud of their courage and determination, their spiritual force that always has brought us victory.”
Russian flag carrier Aeroflot canceled more than 100 flights to and from Moscow and delayed over 140 others on Wednesday as the military were repelling repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on the capital.
Russian military vehicles roll in Red square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on Friday, May 9. (Vladimir Astapkovich/Photo host agency RIA Novosti via AP)
Prior to the parade, Putin and Xi held two rounds of talks and an informal chat about the conflict, the BBC reported, citing Chinese media.
Among the other world leaders to attend Friday were Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was the only European Union leader to head to Moscow, according to the BBC.
The outlet also reported that Chinese troops and contingents of soldiers from North Korea, Vietnam and Mongolia marched through Red Square.
Afterward, Putin shook hands with Russian military officers who led the troops on Red Square and spoke to a group of senior North Korean officers who watched the parade, hugging one of them.
Russian servicemen march during the Victory Day military parade. (Evgeny Biyatov/Photo host agency RIA Novosti via AP)
Last month, Putin thanked North Korea for fighting alongside Russian troops against Ukrainian forces and hailed their sacrifices as Pyongyang confirmed its deployment for the first time.
Fox News’ Stephen Sorace and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
