Victory Day on parade-Moscow

For almost two months, Victory Day preparations have been underway in Alabino. The small village about 50 kilometres south-west of Moscow boasts a replica of Red Square, complete with its own GUM department store, Historical Museum and Lenin's Mausoleum. The mock-up is used to train the various military columns that proceed through the real square on May 9.
This year's parade is to be big, with about 9,000 people, 110 units of heavy weaponry and 69 planes and helicopters taking part. Last year's parade saw about 8,000 people march, with more than 100 units of heavy weaponry and 32 planes and helicopters.
The first Victory Parade was held right after the Germans were defeated on June 24, 1945. The next parade was only held 20 years later, in 1965. After that, military parades were held on Red Square regularly up to 1990. From 1991 to 1994 the parades were cancelled, only to return in 1995 in honour of 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Veterans marched through Red Square, while weaponry was rolled through Poklonnaya Gora. In 1996, military parades returned to Red Square, but without heavy weaponry. Only since 2008 have the big guns been brought back for the military parade.
A total of 205.4 million roubles was spent on preparations for the Victory parade, RIA Novosti reported, citing the city administration.
The parade on Red Square is not open to the general public. About 5,500 invitations are sent to veterans and their families,VIP guests and to the media. For those who haven't been invited, the parade is televised and parts of it can be seen moving down Tverskaya Ulitsa. It starts at 10 am, and the machinery can be seen slowly moving to the square and from it afterwards.
The traditions
Where to watch the fireworks
The fireworks start at 10 pm and last nearly 10 minutes. Vorobyovy Gory is the best spot for catching the Victory Day fireworks. Almost half of the pyrotechnic displays can be seen clearly from here.
Park Pobedy at Poklonnaya Gora and the bridges near Red Square also offer decent viewing points for watching the show.
St. George Ribbon
The St. George Ribbon is a two-toned black and orange ribbon that was first created in 1769 as part of the Order of St. George award. It has since been incorporated into various awards, both Soviet and Russian. The RIA Novosti news agency together with the Student Community now distribute the ribbon for free to mark Victory Day.