Photos: Russia’s World War Two parade mixes aging warriors and shiny new weapons

The Russians go all out when celebrating the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany during World War Two. For the Kremlin, it’s an occasion to tout the country’s triumphant past and flex today’s military muscle. This year’s 71st anniversary parade, held on May 9 in Moscow’s Red Square, included 10,000 servicemen and women, 135 military vehicles and 71 aircraft.

As bombers and fighters zoomed through the air, massive missile launchers drove through Moscow. Some of the aircraft and missile defense system models had been used recently on the ground in Syria. Many veterans who are nearing their hundredth birthdays joined the parade: more than 20 million Soviet soldiers and civilians died in World War Two.