600 servicemen take part in South Ossetia's Victory Day parade

More than 600 servicemen took part in the Victory Day parade in Tskhinval, the capital of South Ossetia, marking the 69th anniversary of Russia's victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

"Victory Day is a sacred holiday for all us, when the joy for the victory interlaces with the grief for the fighters killed during the war, together with millions of innocent victims of Nazism," South Ossetia President Leonid Tibilov said in his speech in Tskhinval's Theatre Square.

Congratulating the veterans, he noted their contribution to the historical victory over Georgian neo-Nazism. "Together with glorious Russian soldiers, it was won by your sons who keep glorious military traditions," he said.

Taking part in the parade were Tskhinval Garrison troops, Russian border troops deployed in South Ossetia and servicemen of the 4th Russian military base, as well as special task force police and South Ossetia border guards.

About 30 units of military equipment in service with South Ossetia's army and equipment of the Russian military base, such as T-72 tanks and BM-21 salvo fire systems, participated in the parade.

The republic's Deputy Defense Minister Ibragim Gasseyev commanded the parade. It was inspected by South Ossetia's Defense Minister Valery Yakhnovets.

A gala concern in Tskhinval on Friday will end in Victory Day fireworks.

More than 20,000 South Ossetians, including 56 women fought in the Great Patriotic War. Some 7,500 were killed in fighting. Eight South Ossetians were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and another 5,500 were decorated.