2016 Minsk Independence Day Parade

The 2016 Minsk Independence Day Parade was a parade that took place in Minsk, Belarus on Masherov Avenue to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Belarus's independence from the Soviet Union. Delivering the address was President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. Inspecting the parade was Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Andrei Ravkov, and commanding the parade was the Deputy Minister of Defense, Major General Sergey Potapenko. More than 350,000 people were spectators and participants of the events.[1] 3,500 soldiers from the Armed Forces of Belarus as well as a contingent from Russia took part in the parade.[1] A Drill team also was present performing during the parade.[2] During the parade 250 Belarusians were born with 52 of them being born in Minsk.[3] Commanding the Central Band of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus was Colonel Serguei Kostiuchenko.[4] Chinese inspection vehicles were used during the inspection of the parade.[5]

President Lukashenko's Address

The Speech of the President of the Republic of Belarus:

Comrade soldiers, sergeants and officers! Dear veterans! Dear compatriots and guests!

Today, Belarus solemnly celebrates its main holiday - Independence Day!

25 years ago, our country gained sovereignty and the ability to choose its own path of development. By the will of Belarusians, Independence Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the liberation of our capital city from the Nazi invaders. After all, the notions of freedom, sovereignty and victory are important and sacred for each of us.

Our unconquered people showed the whole world an example of self-sacrificing struggle against the aggressor by mounting massive resistance to the enemy.

This year we celebrated the sad date - the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. We will never forget that it forever took away a third of the population of Belarus. Those events once again reminded us of the treachery of the Nazis. We need to learn lessons of victories and defeats. The main thing is not to let such tragedies repeat.

Historical experience shows that diplomacy is incapable of protecting a country if there is no effective defense system at hand. The power of the state is its ability to predict and pre-empt the danger. Unfortunately, military power is still one of the main arguments in the arsenal of international relations. So any country which people cherish integrity and independence of the country, should be able to protect itself. Therefore, Belarus continues to strengthen its army and equip it with the most modern weapons and equipment.

Today, taking part in the parade will be the multiple rocket launch system Polonez. This is a modern formidable weapon. Its presence is an important strategic factor in deterring those who attempt to talk to use from the position of strength. No less important is the fact that Belarus has secured the status of a space power.

We continuously improve the combat training of the Armed Forces. We regularly conducted exercises with the territorial defense forces.

Every citizen of Belarus can be sure that nobody will be allowed to destabilize, disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

Dear comrades! During the recently held fifth Belarusian People's Assembly, we have developed the main directions of development of the country in the coming five-year period. This national forum demonstrated the cohesion of our society, a peaceful, multi-vector policy of the state, based on the principles of good neighborliness and cooperation. We work closely with our allies, and especially with the fraternal Russia. We are developing the dialogue with our neighbors and the West.

During the years of independence, we have not allowed ourselves to be drawn into any political adventurism. We have not got involved in any international conflict. We confidently look to the future and cherish the glorious history of our country.

Long live the eternal memory to the heroes who fell in the battles for the Motherland! Let us be their worthy descendants.

I wish you all peace, kindness, happiness, health and success in your work for the good of our Motherland!

Long live the Belarusian people who defended the freedom and independence of the Fatherland! Long live our Motherland - the Republic of Belarus! Long live its valiant Armed Forces!

I want to wish you happy Independence Day!

URA![1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Belarus Independence Day parade 2016. Full video". Belarus News. Retrieved 2017-02-05.
  2. ↑ CTVBY (2016-07-03), Парад в Минске 3 июля 2016. Полная видеоверсия, retrieved 2017-02-05
  3. ↑ "Over 250 Belarusians born on Independence Day July 3". Belarus News. Retrieved 2017-02-05.
  4. ↑ "The Honor Guard and the Band of the Armed Forces". kremlin-military-tattoo.ru. Retrieved 2017-02-08.
  5. ↑ "2016 Independence Day parade rehearsal in Minsk". Belarus News. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
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