Millions of russians turn out with portraits of their wartime moves online will tell you. Hello there good morning this is r. T. From moscow its may the 9th the date indelibly etched in russian mights its victory day and exactly 75 years ago nazi germany was defeated in the 2nd world war in europe was over this years commemorations may as mentioned be subdued in size and spectacle but the emotion the pride and the immense gratitude is being felt nationwide nonetheless as the country remembers the incalculable sacrifices made by savia troops and civilians who suffered the biggest casualties. Do you. Really. Even though you may know. June 22nd 1941 and germanys surprise invasion of the u. S. S. R. Started what will become known in russia as the great patriotic war. The nazis had a significant advantage in numbers and military equipment allowing troops to gain vast amounts of territory with little resistance in a matter of months they were of moscows doorstep. But after a series of fierce battles and unforeseen resistance from the soviet people the germans were still unable to enter the city and were forced to retreat meanwhile the germans had surrounded the Northern Capital leningrad today some petersburg mounting a military blockade which would last for 872. 00 days freezing temperatures and a desperate lack of food and water turned the city into a living hell. Amid countless deaths starvation and suffering some comfort was to be found from a sound heard across the city hundreds of loudspeakers and radios played the constant with macby to the metronome the leningrad heartbeat became a symbol of resistance. On the Southern Front the battle for sterling grad would become one of the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare. There are a soviet soldiers Life Expectancy was less than 24 hours and after 5 grueling months the hellish massacre ended with an estimated 2000000. 00 casualties. But that hard earned victory for the soviet forces was a turning point of the war dealing a huge blow to nazi morale and proving they were not invincible by 944 the u. S. S. R. Had cleared the enemy from all of its territories and started advancing on berlin. As british and American Forces created a 2nd front soviet troops were able to liberate others after the fall of berlin in may 1945 germany capitulated but the price paid was horrific more than 26000000 soviet people died in the great patriotic war more than half of them were civilians. Made the 9th was declared victory day to commemorate the great sacrifice humanity paid for its freedom and a reminder of the horrors that war brings upon the lives of those who fight for their very existence. Well this years victory Day Celebrations that were supposed to be the largest in recent memory but thats not possible because its days reality our correspondents illiterate rank are more against have a covering what is still taking place or just as in fact and how its been made possible. This place never looked like this on may 9th and watch his recent history red square is completely empty we do understand why but yeah it does feel absolutely special care well what if i put it this way main the 9th is probably the most important holiday for russians for d the people of this country for the former soviet republics on the cotton calendar yes of course there is an easter the wrist the new years eve but every time i explain to everyone why this is so important we do have to remember the price that this country paid for this more than 75 years ago we do have to remember that no other country lost so many people more than 25000000 perished people perished in this war and we also have to remember what the person behind world war 2 was the plan was the plan was to destroy this country to store this city all together so you can think of a World Without russia a wall without moscow but not only the soviet troops managed to defend their motherland they went all the way to berlin to pretty much save the world and this is what happened here in the month after the heroes came back this kicked off the tradition there was a massive parade for the heroes and ever since then there were some pauses we saw troops marching here on red square on may 9th to celebrate this this is a very deep in the souls d of all the people in this country a big question for everyone whether the parade was going to happen and on april 16th president putin decided to can. To make sure that none of this happens on this may 9th clearly because of all the dangers but lets just. Have a look at what the parade looked like exactly one year ago. Bottom our proof is about to lay flowers and address the nation. To congratulate you on victory. Let us see you at the sun we glow and for all of us the biggest things that make you. Who we sell a price and a solemn why and its now. Spiritual value and this is a truly important and emotional but its sacred its your day for us its our pride to go to the parts of the history of our nation and every family part of a soul that has been passed on by our worth but i. Mean we appreciate. The russian people of russian really different nationalities and ethnic groups it will add shoulder to shoulder and with front whatever and search on that fought against. And we will be united as they are we are united is either cheered memory by our shared achievement and the spirit of responsibility. And the future. And we. Are we strongly believe that we will prevail when we are together by happy victory die. On any other may 9th we know this whole ray would have been much louder because it would have come from hundreds or even thousands of soldiers marching or actually being ready to march through red square this year its different but from what we heard from the russian president Vladimir Putin the full scale celebrations will indeed happened one point or another and the whole country indeed will be waiting for all that we were expecting to happen in a few minutes was the aerial part of the parade that is the only section of this traditional event that we were supposed to witness but i can tell you that my colleague. Is in a location from where the view would have been spectacular so i just want to ask. Maybe he could see something or maybe he heard something any news about whats going on with this part of the show here have they come as is tradition now headed by the 6 the flying cow as they call it that me 26 and croft flanked by me 8 and cropped smaller brother ive been in that aircraft you can fit 70 odd people into that helicopter its bigger than most restaurants and absolutely huge piece that is the zacks video once of its carried another helicopter slung slung below it there are. 35. 00 helicopters i believe the iconic 24. 00 higher and this is an evolution of that helicopter the you know its been its one of those mass produced helicopters in the world to use that one point or another but almost a quarter of the worlds of the worlds nations of the worlds countries. Just just behind the me 30 fives of the alligators the theyve got double root as characteristic double root this kate 52 alligators that theyve used the 28. There to the hives that me 357 heavily modernized but there you go what a wonderful view of a mosque was the weather could have been better but at least its happening at least its happening many people kept their fingers crossed hoping that this would this would take place. Just just behind the alligators we should see the the night hondas need 28 designated to work and in all weather designated to flights. At any time of the day as the name implies the the night hunter. There they are flying over the red square. Mansion see them behind me what a what a spectacle. But at least you do it in this in this terrible totn at least russians can look out their windows self isolation and see these beautiful machines. Overhead that is the the the final way of the helicopters next we should see the heavy a boys the the aircraft and that is the a 50 you see a 50 year rushes i in the sky capable of seeing hundreds of kilometers in all directions when its abhorrent tracking threats up to 50 threats for again hundreds of kilometers away and organizing defenses organizing other jets ashore to spy craft. Behind it a trio of 76. 00. Around sports aircraft these are the workhorses and i can tell you from experience they were heavily used in in syria a juror in the operation there you dont want to be anywhere near these when they take part. In huge forces they generated. You do that sweep you clean off the 295 bad you want the nasal pilots until youve been moved allies to intercept these off the coast of california for example a very old aircraft but a good barely recognizable from from blues released during the last century theyve been modernized with all sorts of avionics and electronics again screaming move over moscow. And up next up next i would say my favorite aircraft the Worlds Largest fastest and heaviest bomb but the 2160 whites was an absolutely beautiful aircraft surrounded by 222 such small a small a siblings this this aircraft travels at the max 2. 2. Credibly fast across the worlds fastest and fitted with full of the most powerful engines ever 3002 of their crop zul happening very quickly obviously these are jets that barely a 100 meters 150 to 300 meters above the city. Do this see if youve got enough time to mention everything the next legs to the soup this is a full suit 30 and sooth 30 fives. Fighter aircraft and bombers together these would actually be used in syria operations against jihad ists and terrorists then. Stunning footage absolutely stunning footage. Affix rushes to. Most famous i wrote Patrick Stevens flying me 3020 times and sue 30 in a diamond cuban diamond with me she says this is. Celebrating and congratulating russians. With the 9th of may and capping the parade. A formation of suit 25 ground attack aircraft a prop streaking across most pins in the sky in the russian tricolor in the in the flag of the russian federation. And thats it ladies and gentlemen at least at least we got a show at least weve got our show and capping the parade a formation of suit 20 fives. Painting in the sky. In the russian flag. Ill tell you this ill tell you this whatever market will show what a remarkable show we didnt know whether it would happen we didnt know whether it would happen because of the weather because of the virus good so you know we go to russia we go to a show and this happened in moscow in all sorts of many russian cities across many times in 600 aircraft involved 7575 over moscow to mark 75 years since the defeat of nazi germany on may 9th in 1945. And more because there was an amazing shot of the front of the jet where theres a will theres a way the fly past happened now every war veteran has a gripping story to tell and we wanted you to get in touch with these heroes so we contacted as many of them as we could find for our victory mail project then we asked you to send them letters a message of the things which you did. Thank you for it now here are some of the heartfelt letters of appreciation and most of them ive already been sent on to the veterans some got stuck here with us at our t. V. Just temporarily because the situations are out of the can the coronavirus were soon as we can we will of course be sure to for them on now the letters we received came from so many different corners of the world let me just take you through a few of them really detail look at the care and love that these were sent in with they got the same jawed ribbon you see im wearing it as well that synonymous with this day victory day its a signifier of the fire and the gun powder and theres one with the russian trickle ron look these are coming from thats from australia that letter this is from china for a one of the veterans this is coming from chorus so italia in italy and another one in from boston i mean they come they come they come they come they come this is come in from baltimore and this really sweet i just want to show you these and im taking the time guys but these are coming from too often ages and again look at the detail and the love you see that yes look at that lovely now ive got another one here. This is for ernie davis who served in Britains Royal Navy and he served on the arctic convoys which braved german raids to deliver much needed military equipment of food to the u. S. S. R. Was especially for him and now weve got a story for you. There i was in this side as song really guy was at so im churchill who say it was one of the worst journeys in the world and. Most respect for them. Did not and i dont know began. And indeed its always well we say he summed up places i wish starving to death. And. Up into a sad a cemetery where they just mans of earth where they know cousteau i had and i just saw a bear with them then no. They just numbers. There was 27000000. 00 russians would during the war. And where their sacrifice and the sec crystal us of days russian convoys that woke would never have been one the only regret of dumb spite russian. You know. Quite happy. To reply to any letters that you lot to send. We did our pride as your wife and my. Sister in a davis a long with all the other veterans we salute you today especially the relatively new tradition each year on victory day sees hundreds of thousands of russians march with portraits of their relatives who fought in the war its called the immortal regiment and since 2012 its seen march is not only nationwide but also far beyond russias borders this year because the pandemics put a stop to major public gatherings but where theres a well as we said before theres a way and lets talk to daniel kims to cross this down how is the immortal regiment march going to happen this year that. Well moscow is surprisingly empty this month of my about some surprisingly given the circumstances youd expect normally crowds of people to be attending the parade on red square and obviously the immortal regiments something which has become a tradition and in russia but across the 12 it started back in 2012 in a small siberian city of tomsk and its ballooned to now include over 110 countries 500 different cities and millions of people not only in russia but also tens of thousands across the wild as well in the whole squad you called home the but chill military parade you can hold a virtual remembrance ceremony thats exactly what has happened over 2000000 people have submitted photos and stories over there but it is of the anzus those. Who for many of whom died in the 2nd mold war the great patriotic war is known here and russia and that ceremony will be broadcast on social media and also on television throughout the date that those stories those photos sweeping from eastern russia away from but also the far east or later kaliningrad the west the most point of russia and its going to take hours i can tell you to do probably the best part of the day because they just have been so so many submissions this means so much to so many people theres not one family in russia and that was the fact that they didnt lose someone during the war and this tradition has become over the last 8 years really something to mark to on out of sight of right those who sacrificed so much and at 7 pm today here in moscow russians are encouraged to open their windows go to the balconies hold up the portraits old their ancestors who gave their sacrifices and to sing to sing the victory day song which perhaps encompasses everything that they stay means the most important festival here in russia the suffering the sacrifice on the son of ration of the great patriotic war and music and song is of course just one of the ways people are. But those those days those sacrifices and has managed to break down borders across thousands of miles even as far as australia and mainly one small child would have been b. Webb a 28. 00 man choir who will find happen to be fans of russian music called military songs of pollution free songs have got together and transcended so many miles across the borders and have become somewhat of a hit not noted domestically but also a the nationally and here in russia this is the choir and some of the creative music they have produced hones time to. Be sold to issues post in the new boy. Oh. Come on do you know. This is for. The low. News to me is part of the. Whole of the. Russians obviously very very tough language even tougher to sing in but these are guys from a straight old managed to record individually that russian war song and we put together that montage on autopsy and of course they were also invited suit perform at the victory Day Celebrations this year old red square that has happened for all these reasons but they invite still stands and should that event go ahead or rather when it goes ahead that is the question they said theyre very happy to come to last go and visit and that i decided to have it will decision with them as well to see if i can make the cut and that perhaps join in that signal. Poulder time to you get off her power to do sonar that usually floor saluted a boy art over har. New sleaze for her believed to be god of war oh are the har har. Har just needed hard. Or was hard act to follow those guys are pretty good but i hope i managed to make the addition of maybe will level city together when they do come to moscow and that theyve also said that they were really surprised that overwhelmed but how much better songs of but people not only in the Expat Community in australia where they have become a staple or a huge hit but also messages from what russia from all those miles away this is what they have to say barely able to celebrate the end of holy war is a marvelous thing and to remember the suffering that was always involved and that song seems to really speak it just as a song as much as what it is really saying in a moving place and i think music particularly in the exchange of cultures is. Its uplifting and it brings hope weve also had a lot of private messages sorry for i spoke. From papal. In russia who have said things like i cried. You know i used to sing this song with my grandparents at family gatherings. People have been very very kind to us. Well oh theres certain item a celebration is perhaps the 1st in in recent times some for some generations in living memory when it really does take place when the streets are lined with people celebrating that hasnt stopped people marking this very important day for russia in their own way through the online version with through the media what song off their balconies and windows thats going to be quite a sight quite a sound a bit late at night and certainly its a question of when rather than if people will be able to. Mark this very important holiday very important date albeit a little later yeah absolutely better times will come down i was here in the studio the other side of a beer on the cameras when youre recording that you said you can have a bit of a sing it blew me away and couldnt believe you could amazing voice good job tell your kids thank you. Horrible back to darker times hitlers ultimate target to the east was to conquer the salvi elian known as operation barbarossa ernest day he viewed much of whats now Eastern Europe as a site of repopulation for the germans the plan would have meant though the extermination of the people already there there was of course the systematic massacre of millions of jews nearly all extermination camps were located in Eastern Europe some scholars estimate that almost half of the 6000000. 00 the Holocaust Victims were solving it citizens camps were also established for soviet prisoners of war the nazis acted with exceptional savagery in their abuse of captured troops there was shot there experimented on with gas or worked to death more than 3000000 solvent prisoners were killed most of them by deliberate starvation. One that war crime was the hunt for about 500 salvi at officers who disk ate from the mouth 1000 nazi concentration camp in austria one of the witnesses to those events was a lady called anna hackle her family managed to save the lives of 2 soviet offices. As raw and clear the sarin is hallowed they drove around the villages with loudspeakers and announced a dangerous criminals had escaped and they needed to be big or even shot it was terrible they described it as hunting them like harrison. Bring the captured runaways back to the camp dead. Be offended lived about 10 to 11 kilometers from the concentration camp and they had the courage to reach out to us its scary and so he knocked on the door inside please give me something to eat and my mother took his hand and said i know who you are she went to my father in the bedroom and said father have you heard one person has come here lets help him you cant you know as