Russia Celebrates Victory Over Nazi Germany

In the West their efforts are often forgotten, but Russia knows how to honor it’s war heroes. Every year a big military parade is held in Red Square, Moscow and smaller ceremonies are organised throughout the vast country to celebrate the anniversary of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany, now 66 years ago.

1 Russian second World War veterans toast over a typical wartime meal served for them at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces in Moscow May 8, 2011. Russia will celebrate the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

2 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (C) shares a toast and meal of buckwheat with World War II veterans during his visit to the Central Museum of the Armed Forces in Moscow May 8, 2011. Russia will celebrate the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

3 A Russian second World War veteran reminisces during a commemorative event at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces in Moscow May 8, 2011. Russia will celebrate the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

4 A Russian second World War veteran offers a toast during a commemorative event at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces in Moscow May 8, 2011. Russia will celebrate the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

5 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (C), Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov (R), State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov (2nd R), Leader of the Upper House Sergei Mironov (3rd R) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (4th R) walk in procession during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Moscow's Alexander Garden, May 8, 2011. Russia will celebrate the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. REUTERS/Dmitry Astakhov/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

6 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev lays flowers during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier on the eve of Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, May 8, 2011. REUTERS/Misha Japaridze/Pool

7 A Russian war veteran dances during Victory Day celebrations in the far eastern city of Vladivostok May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Yuri Maltsev

8 A Russian war veteran drinks after toasting during Victory Day celebrations in the far eastern city of Vladivostok May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Yuri Maltsev

9 An elderly woman watches a military vehicle passing by during a military parade on Victory Day in the far eastern city of Vladivostok May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Yuri Maltsev

10 Russian navy personnel march during a military parade on Victory Day in the far eastern city of Vladivostok May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Yuri Maltsev

11 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

12 War veterans lay flowers at the World War Two memorial during the celebrations for the Victory Day in the Siberian town of Divnogorsk near Krasnoyarsk May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin

13 Russian communists take part in a procession to mark the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

14 Russian communists take part in a procession to mark the Victory Day, with a portrait of the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in the foreground, in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

15 Russian communists hold portraits of the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin as they take part in a procession to mark the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

16 People watch cadets marching near the World War Two memorial during the celebrations for the Victory Day in the Siberian town of Divnogorsk near Krasnoyarsk May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin

17 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

18 Russian military personnel wait before taking part in a military parade in Red Square on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

19 Russian military tanks move along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

20 Russia's Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov stands in an open limousine as he takes part in a military parade in Red Square on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

21 Russian military vehicles move along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

22 A Russian military tank moves along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

23 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

24 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

25 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

26 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

27 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

28 Russian military helicopters fly above Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

29 Russian military vehicles move along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

30 Russian military tanks move along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

31 Emergencies Ministry personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

32 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

33 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

34 Russian military vehicles move along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

35 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

36 Russian military tanks move along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

37 A Russian serviceman takes part a military parade in Red Square on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

38 Russian military personnel march along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

39 A Russian military vehicle moves along Red Square during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

40 Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (R front) shakes hands with veterans as he attends a military parade in Red Square on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Vladimir Rodionov/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

41 Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (C) sits with veterans as he attends a military parade in Red Square on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Alexsey Druginyn/RIA Novosti/Pool

42 People watch Russian military tanks as they move past on the opposite embankment of the Moskva river during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Mikhail Voskresensky

43 Guns are fired on the embankment of the Moskva river in front of the Kremlin wall during a military parade on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva

44 Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin watch a military parade in Red Square on the Victory Day in Moscow May 9, 2011. Russia celebrates the 66th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin