Victory Day in Syria: Both Russian and Syrian Troops March Together in Show of Solidarity
The Victory Day Parade was held in Syria as well. The officers of Khmeimim Air Base, located in the northwestern part of the country, performed the Russian national anthem. Russian and Syrian servicemembers took part in the event.
Our Syrian correspondent Evgeny Poddubny is with us live.
- Greetings, Evgeny. What are the details?
- Greetings, Yekaterina.
Khmeimim Air Base is probably the most southern point on Earth where the 73rd Victory Day Parade was held. Officers from the Russian expeditionary force in Syria took part in the parade together with the pilots of the Mixed Air Regiment, servicemembers of the Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment, military police servicemembers, and the field medics of the Special Operations Medical Unit. For the second year in a row, Syrian servicemembers are also taking part in the parade. They are cadets from the naval academy located not far from Khmeimim Air Base. Military hardware was also present at the parade; including Taifun, Tigr, and BTR-82 armored vehicles. It's worth mentioning that all these vehicles are employed by the Syrian military police and the officers of the Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria. In general, it's used by all servicemembers who are serving in Syria.
The commander of the Russian expeditionary force in Syria, Colonel General Alexander Zhuravlyov, observed the parade, while Major General Andrey Ruzinsky was in charge of the parade. The event was held at the Khmeimim Air Base. It's clear that the air base is continuing to serve its primary goal of fighting terrorist groups in the Syrian Arab Republic.
The base continues to maintain high combat readiness. As a whole, Syrian citizens treat Victory Day as their own holiday.
It's worth noting that the Immortal Regiment was organized in Syria as well. It welcomed not only Russian citizens who live in Syria but even some Syrian citizens. The latter carried portraits of deceased Russian servicemembers who were killed in action while serving in Syria. Syrian citizens have great respect for the Russian servicemembers who are fighting terrorists in Syria. I'd like to remind you that Syrian citizens realize that it was the Russian military that saved their country from desolation, anarchy, and domination by the various terrorist groups that operate in Syrian territory.
- Thank you, Evgeny. That was our military correspondent, Evgeny Poddubny, live from Syria.