On this glorious Day of Victory

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This year, the capital authorities promised to exercise restraint and celebrate May 9th in a modest manner. Instead of a military parade by the Ukrainian armed forces, a solemn march was held, led by military vehicles from the time of the Great Patriotic War.

A BTR, a T-34 tank, “Villicius” vehicles, GAZ-67 trucks equipped with PTA cannons, and ZIS-5 vehicles armed with ZIS-3 cannons were brought to Chreschatyk. In addition, a column of veterans passed by; I didn’t manage to take photos of them because a police officer started pulling me back. Today I will show the photographs of those who participated in the parade.

1. First, a few words about the organization. Traditionally, it’s the police officers who control access to Chreschatyk. This time, they were particularly strict—no one was allowed in without a pass. In fact, anyone who approached without a pass was sent back home, with them insisting that it was impossible to proceed further. Right in front of my eyes, dozens of people were turned away.

2. While watching the parade, two men in green uniforms approached the police officers and said, “Let us through! We’re border guards.”

- Uncle, have you ever actually seen the border? Why are you wearing these green uniforms?

- Yes, I served on the Turkish border.

- …Okay, then just stand here and watch.

6. Traditionally, on May 9th, a group of drummers from the Ivan Bohun Kiev Military Lyceum also participates in the parade.

10. What kind of device is on that vehicle? Can someone tell me?

11>For the past few years, I’ve been wondering why the tank isn’t equipped with rubber pads. After it drove past the crowd, the tank driver accelerated, and small pieces of asphalt flew off in all directions.

12>Since this wasn’t a military parade but a celebratory march, there was a lot of disorganization and chaos in the formation. In particular, a tall soldier at the end of the line kept losing his step—taking five steps instead of one to try to keep up with the rest.

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15. U.S. Army

16>Apparently, last year’s display of troops from different countries impressed someone, because today there were almost only African military units present.

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19>Field photo reporter :)

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21>I was lucky enough to see the U.S. Army land right next to me on my way back. I got to watch so many things in just half an hour...

22>It seemed like they had no idea what discipline or formation meant. They just started smoking, spitting around, and doing their own things. I heard somewhere that serving in the Ukrainian army is considered prestigious… Well, in this regard, our soldiers really stood out today.

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25>The cannon looks better :)

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29>France… It inevitably reminds me of the French Foreign Legion.

30>Here, the soldiers poured something from their flasks into their cups and then frowned dramatically for a few seconds...

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32>Well, today it seemed like Jack Worobey was the only one who would have completed the picture perfectly...

33>By the way, yesterday, to celebrate May Day, there was a large-scale reenactment of military events called “The Great Victory: May 1945.” It was organized by the Kiev Municipal Organization “Red Star” and the Dovzhenko Film Studio.

34>Cannons were fired, tanks moved around… There was even a funny moment: a BTR took a sharp turn while passing by a cover, and the audience thought it was part of the reenactment and crowded around it. But the event continued without any technical problems.