Belousov said that formations from 19 friendly countries have been invited to the Victory Parade

Military formations from 19 friendly states have been invited to the parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War, which will be held in Moscow on May 9. This was announced by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on January 15.

"For participation in the parade on Red Square invited military congratulations of 19 friendly states, 10 of them have already confirmed participation, including seven countries of the former Soviet Union", - he said.

At the same time, the minister did not specify which states he was talking about.

Belousov also added that in honor of the holiday parades will be held not only in Moscow, but also in eight hero-cities, as well as in 19 settlements, where the headquarters of military districts, fleets, armies and the Caspian Flotilla are located.

The parade formations will include participants of the Special Military Operation (SMO), the Minister noted.

Earlier, on December 25, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the victory over Nazism in 1945 should be promoted as a common value for all mankind.

On October 30, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow intends to invite world leaders in addition to the heads of CIS countries to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War in 2025. He noted that everyone who wants to come to the celebration will be welcome in the capital.

Theinvitation was accepted, in particular, by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has agreed with him to go to the Victory Parade in Moscow. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also expressed his hope for a visit to the holiday.

In 2025, May 9 marks 80 years since the victory in the Great Patriotic War. In January 1945, the USSR army launched an offensive on Berlin. As a result of military operations at 00:43 Moscow time on May 9, the commanders-in-chief signed an act of unconditional surrender of Germany, which served as the end of the Great Patriotic War.