(9 May 1997) Russian/Nat
Five thousand soldiers, sailors and cadets marched across Red Square on Friday as Russia celebrated one of its biggest holidays in traditional style.
But minus the tanks and missiles of the Soviet era.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin attended the huge military parade - the centre piece of Russia's Victory Day celebrations - which mark the end of the Second World War.
A sun drenched Red Square played host to the thousands of soldiers past and present who'd gathered in the Russian capital for Friday's national holiday.
In the Soviet era it was an occasion to show off the regime's military prowess but it was abandoned after the fall of Communism.
Times have changed once more - President Yeltsin has realised that remembering the heroics of a by-gone era strikes a chord with many veterans who've been courted by his Communist opponents.
Soldiers marched once more passed Lenin's tomb but there were no tanks or missiles and there was no Politburo standing on top of the mausoleum.
President Yeltsin, making a break from the past, stood on a platform in front of the mausoleum, leading members of the government at his side including the first civilian defence minister Igor Rodionov.
At the stroke of ten o'clock Lieutenant General Puzanov and Colonel General Kuznetsov - commanders of the Moscow Military district saluted each other from open top cars.
They then drove around taking the salute from the detachments massed in Red Square.
Yeltsin, looking fit and well following his rest at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, made a simple speech praising the veterans.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Dear Russians, congratulations with today's holiday - the Day of the Victory, hurrah."
SUPER CAPTION: Boris Yeltsin, Russian President
The victory of the Red Army over Fascism was a frequent propaganda theme during Soviet times.
Although this is the 52nd anniversary of the victory in Europe for many in the former Soviet Union the memory of the war is still fresh.
20 million are thought to have perished during the conflict which also devastated much of the former Soviet Union.
Now, more than five decades later, the Russian capital is bringing a more civilian flavour to the holiday.
Celebrations are being organised at the city's major parks and landmarks, including pop concerts and a fireworks display.
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