Russia marks V-Day with parade of battle-proven hardware & state of art weaponry

May 9 is one of the biggest state holidays in Russia, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. It is both about commemorating the sacrifices made to achieve that victory, and showing Russia’s military strength. 

The military usually presents its newest hardware to the public during the parades, but one of this year’s picks is as civilian as can be. The defense minister and the commander of the Army rode in a pair of brand-new Aurus cabriolets. The luxury car brand was developed as the domestic ride for senior Russian officials, from the president down.

Another newcomer was the AK-12, the new Kalashnikov assault rifle, which underwent extensive testing and overhaul in 2016 and was signed for mass production last year.