2017 Minsk Independence Day Parade

Paratroopers marching during the parade.
President Lukashenko greeting commanders during the Parade.

The 2017 Minsk Independence Day Parade was a parade that took place in Minsk, Belarus celebrating the 26th anniversary of Belarus's independence. [1][2][3][4]6,000 people and 500 vehicles from representatives of 30 military units, and 5 educational institutions were involved in the parade.[5][6]Inspecting the parade was the Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Andrei Ravkov, and commanding the parade was the Deputy Minister of Defense, Major General Sergey Potapenko. The parade was opened by the drummers of the Minsk Suvorov Military School.[7]Russia was represented by combat helicopters Ka-52, and four Su-34 and Su-27 aircraft.[8]The flypast will feature for the first time AS-355 and MI-26 helicopters, and Yak-52 and Mi-2 helicopters from DOSAAF and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.[9]


President Lukashenko's Address

The Speech of the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko:

Dear veterans!

Dear compatriots and guests!

Today our country celebrates Independence Day. We started celebrating the main state holiday today on July 3 at the will of our people. This choice testifies to the historical memory of Belarusians and the continuity of generations. In our hearts, the independence of Belarus is inseparably linked with its liberation from the German Nazi invaders.

We will never forget those who liberated us from the Nazi yoke and whom we owe much. The Great Victory was won thanks to the heroism of the soldiers of the Red Army and the workers of the rear, the steadfastness and unity of all Soviet people.

The Belarusian people made a huge contribution to the defeat of Nazism. This was recognized by the world community. Therefore, our country was rightfully included in the list of powers that established the United Nations.

We are proud of the fact that Belarus has proved its worth as an independent state that pursues multi-vector foreign policy. Our unchanging principle is the equality of all countries and their non-interference in each other's internal affairs. We stand for the solution of any international conflicts exclusively at the negotiating table.

Unfortunately, other countries did not want to follow this example. What did this lead to? There is an increase in global instability. International security is ruined. The countries of Europe entered the path of militarization. They are drawn into the arms race and military preparations. The United States is deploying here, at our borders, a missile defense system and improving its nuclear capabilities.

Our answer is the modern Belarusian army. It is constantly modernized, it is mobile, well-trained and well-armed.

It is important to note that the national defense and industrial complex makes a significant contribution to improving the combat readiness of Belarus.

The country successfully develops its own rocket engineering. You can name more than a hundred samples of Belarusian military products, which are fundamentally new and innovative.

The military arsenal that we possess will be shown today during the parade. Everyone will be able to make sure we have everything we need to fight back any aggressor.

The policy of Belarus is open. We have nothing to hide. Together with fraternal Russia, we are defending the borders of the Union State that we are creating.

Our strategic goal is to further develop relations with the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). These are our reliable partners and loyal friends. We are bound by a common history and together today we are defending the world against new threats.

On this holiday I want to address you, dear veterans! You did not allow out country to kneel during the most terrible war, you brought freedom to our native land. We are proud of you and strive to be worthy of the glorious generation of winners.

Dear compatriots!

In this sacred day for each of us, I wish you happiness, health and prosperity, a peaceful sky and success in work for the benefit of our native Belarus.

Glory to the heroes who defended their homeland in the fierce battles!

Glory to the workers who revived the country from the ashes and turned it into a beautiful land!

Glory to the Belarusian army - the guarantor of the inviolability of our Motherland's borders!

Glory to the Belarusian people!

Congratulations! Happy Independence Day, Belarus!

Ura![10][11]

See Also

Military parade

Liberation of Belarus

Independence Day (Belarus)

Armed Forces of Belarus

References

  1. ↑ "Belarus to hold Independence Day parade in 2017". Belarus News. Retrieved 2017-06-26.
  2. ↑ "Exactly 73 years ago on July 3 Minsk was liberated from fascists. Traditionally on the day Belarusians pay tribute to the heroism and courage of those who fought for the future of their country. This year Belarus celebrates 26 years since it began its existence as an independent and sovereign state.".
  3. ↑ "Army parade in Minsk in honor of Independence Day". 2017-07-03. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
  4. ↑ "Belarus celebrating Independence Day". Belarus News. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
  5. ↑ "The Independence Day military parade will involve about 6,000 people and 500 vehicles, Vladimir Makarov, the head of the information department, spokesperson for the main directorate for ideology at the Belarusian Defense Ministry, told a press conference on 26 June, BelTA has learned.".
  6. ↑ "It will feature representatives of 30 military units, and 5 educational institutions.".
  7. ↑ "The parade will be opened by Suvorov school cadets. They are already rehearsing.".
  8. ↑ "Russia's military-space forces will be represented by four combat helicopters Ka-52, four Su-34 and Su-27 aircraft.".
  9. ↑ "The flyover will feature 12 MI-8 MTV-5, MI-24, the military transport aircraft An-26 accompanied by two Yak-130 combat aircraft (all in all, 6 Yaks will take part in the aerial display), MIG-29, Su-25 and L-39. For the first time, the flyover will feature the Emergencies Ministry's AS-355 and MI-26 helicopters and DOSAAF's Yak-52 and Mi-2 helicopters.".
  10. ↑ "Comrade soldiers, sergeants, warrant officers and officers! Dear war veterans! Dear compatriots and guests! Today our country celebrates Independence Day. We celebrate the key state holiday today — 3 July — because our people willed it. The choice testifies to the historic memory of Belarusians and the continuity of generations. In our hearts Belarus’ independence is inseparable from the country’s liberation from the Nazi invaders. We will never forget those, who liberated us from the Nazi oppression. The great victory was achieved thanks to the heroic deeds of the Red Army soldiers and hard work on the homefront, thanks to the perseverance and unity of all the Soviet people. Independence Day parade SEE ALSO: PHOTO 3 July 2017 Independence Day parade 22 photo The Belarusian nation made a huge contribution to the downfall of the Nazis. The fact has been recognized by the international community. This is why Belarus is a founding country of the United Nations Organization. We are proud of the fact that Belarus is an established independent nation that pursues a peaceful multiple-vector foreign policy. Equality of all countries and their non-interference with domestic affairs of each other represent our unwavering principle. We are in favor of resolving any international conflicts through negotiations only. Unfortunately, other countries are unwilling to follow the example. What do we have as a result? The global instability is on the rise. The international security system lies in ruins. European countries pursue the policy of militarization. They are joining the arms race and are making military preparations. The USA is deploying a missile defense system near our borders and is building up its nuclear potential. The modern Belarusian army is our answer. It is getting constantly modernized. It is mobile, well-trained and armed. It is worth saying that the Belarusian defense industry makes a tangible contribution to improving combat capabilities of the Belarusian army. The Belarusian missile industry is successfully developing in the country. One can name over 100 Belarusian innovative defense products. The weaponry we have will be demonstrated during today’s parade. Everyone will be able to see that we have everything necessary to repulse any aggression. Belarus’ policy is transparent. We have nothing to hide. Together with brotherly Russia we defend the borders of our emerging UnionState. Our strategic goal is to further advance relations with the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. They are our reliable partners and true friends. We have a common history and protect the world from new threats today. On this holiday I would like to address you, dear veterans. You did not let the invaders bring our country to its knees in the years of the most dreadful war. You brought freedom to the native land. We are proud of you and will endeavor to live up to the standards of the glorious generation of the victors. Dear compatriots, On this important day I wish you happiness, health and wellbeing, peace and every success in the work for the benefit of our Belarus. Let’s honor our heroes who protected the Homeland in fierce battles! Let’s honor our workers who restored the country from ruins and turned it into a wonderful piece of land! Let’s honor our army which is the guarantor of the inviolability of the borders of the Fatherland! Let’s honor Belarusian people! Happy Independence Day, Belarus! Hurrah!".
  11. ↑ "Independence Day Parade 2017 in Minsk: Video and Belarus President's Address". Belarus News. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
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