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Russia displays military might

MOSCOW: Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev warned against “military adventurism” as the country celebrated victory in World War II with the largest display of military might since the break-up of the Soviet Union nearly two decades ago.

Opening the parade, Mr. Medvedev said Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany was a “great lesson to all nations”.

“This lesson is still relevant today when there are those who engage in military adventurism,” he said in an obvious reference to Georgia’s assault on its breakaway province of S. Ossetia last August, which Russia crushed.

Mr. Medvedev said the nation’s armed forces are “ready to give adequate response to any aggression.” Tensions flared up again last week as NATO began month-long military exercises in Georgia, which Moscow denounced as a “provocation.”

Nine thousand troops marched through the Red Square followed by more than 100 combat vehicles that included new Topol-M intercontinental nuclear-tipped missiles. For the first time, the V-Day parade featured the latest S-400 air defence missiles designed to intercept airborne targets at distances of up to 400 km, twice the range of the U.S. Patriot missile.

Around 70 combat aircraft and helicopters — over twice as many as last year — whizzed over Moscow at a record-low altitude of just 300 metres.

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