Kazakhstan Not to Hold Victory Day Parade

By The Moscow Times

May 4, 2016

There will be no military parade celebrating Victory Day or Defender of the Fatherland Day in the Kazakh capital Astana this year, the Interfax news agency reported Wednesday.

A spokesperson from the Kazakh Defense Ministry said that the parade had not “been provided for in the ministry's approved plan.”

Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated in Kazakhstan on May 7, two days before Victory Day.

Last year's parade was the biggest in the country's history, featuring 5,000 soldiers, 200 military vehicles, and 70 helicopters and planes, Interfax reported.

Belarus has also decided to mark Victory Day this year without a military parade, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. Their celebrations will include a fireworks show and the so-called “Immortal Regiment” parade, in which participants march carrying photographs of relatives who lived and died during World War II.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue