Bishkek, Vladivostok Host Military Parades for Victory Day Anniversaries

As part of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Russia and neighboring countries are staging commemorative parades and events. In Vladivostok, over 1,500 elementary schoolchildren, including North Korean students, marched in military uniforms in the region's first children’s parade, with veterans of the war in Ukraine leading the procession. The participation of North Korean children follows reports of North Korean troops supporting Russian forces in the Kursk region, and regional officials highlighted the event as a tribute to the defenders of the fatherland. These parades reflect a broader trend in Russia of involving children in state-sponsored patriotic initiatives, especially since the start of the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, dress rehearsals for military parades are also taking place in Bishkek, and cultural events such as the 'Victory Waltz' are being performed by students in Moscow, marking Victory Day celebrations across the region.