![]() ![]() We do what we do because we choose to line the streets or gather with our families around our television sets. For the tens of thousands at home and the millions across the world watching the splendour of the Coronation parades in London, there must be a willing, or for some a grudging, acceptance that no country stage-manages these brilliant events better than the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland – and we do it to honour a constitutional monarch who is at the heart of our democracy.Ĭontrast that with the pictures to be broadcast on television next Tuesday of the Russian Victory Day Parade. The opportunity to present arms as the Sovereign passes by is a deeply felt mark of respect - and a welcome easing of the muscles! ![]() It is a very long day by any yardstick – and no small physical effort to stand for many hours. They are amongst the first on parade and the last to fall out. However, come the day, soldier and charger rise to the excitement and the grandeur of the occasion and put their best foot forward with a swagger and a bursting pride.īut spare a thought for those with less exciting jobs like the soldiers, sailors and air force personnel lining the streets. We can explain to a young soldier why it is important to parade in his best boots at 3am, but a Household Cavalry charger might take a dim view of being turned out of its warm dry stables in Knightsbridge barracks in the middle of the night. If bleary eyed soldiers thought that such early morning parades were stretching their loyalty and enthusiasm a bit too far, spare a thought for the horses. 'There is nothing more important now than. The planning, training and rehearsing of such events, like all military operations, reflects the professionalism and dedication of all involved.Īs has been widely reported, there were many rehearsals in military bases around the country and on the streets of London in the dead of night in the days leading up to the Coronation. BBC News Vladimir Putin has said Russias future 'rests on' the soldiers fighting in Ukraine, during his annual speech to mark Victory Day in Moscow. If Saturday was deemed to be a success, it did not come about by chance or with fingers crossed. And the same can be said for the Commonwealth participants too. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, this years Victory Day parade in Red Square was a chance to continue his war on history. Republika Srpska leader Dodik told the participants that the Serbs made the greatest contribution to the defeat of the German occupiers in the Yugoslav region, claiming that resistance fighters from other ethnic groups only “joined the fight against the Nazis when the victory of the Partisans was already certain”.ĭodik accused the West of rejecting anyone who is not against Russia, and claimed that “they are trying to rewrite history again” by celebrating Europe Day on May 9 rather than Victory Day.Some might choose to scoff and claim that the pomp and circumstance was all a waste of money, but such detractors should pause to consider that all the troops on parade are first and foremost trained fighting service people.įor them, participation in a state ceremonial like the Coronation is a great privilege but only a secondary duty – their primary duty is to defend this country or fight the King’s enemies abroad. ‘Immortal Regiment’ parades glorifying the sacrifices for victory over Nazi Germany in World War II are a key part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s nationalist ideology, but have been cancelled in Russia this year with the authorities citing security concerns connected to the war against Ukraine. Kalabuhov also accused the West of “cynical falsifications of the history of World War II, inciting Russophobia, glorifying traitors and mocking the memory of the victims”. ![]() Russian ambassador Igor Kalabuhov at the event with Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. Kalabuhov said that the Day of Victory over Fascism was of “colossal importance for the fate of the whole world” and described it as a holiday that unites the Russian and Serbian people. He also claimed that Russia “prevented aggression” with its military intervention. Russian ambassador Igor Kalabuhov told the participants that Moscow is now “fighting fascism in Ukraine, and against a totalitarian, unipolar world”. Members of the pro-Putin Russian biker gang the Night Wolves also attended. The participants held pictures of relatives who fought in World War II as well as Serbian and Russian flags. Photo: BIRN.Ī Russian-style ‘Immortal Regiment’ parade to commemorate the Day of Victory over Fascism in World War II was held on Tuesday in Banja Luka, the main city of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated Republika Srpska, attended by Bosnian Serb president Milorad Dodik and Moscow’s ambassador to the country, who used the event to justify Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Immortal Regiment parade in Banja Luka. ![]()
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