On May 9, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon visited the Kremlin Palace to participate in the ceremonial events dedicated to the 79th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany, according to the Tajik president’s official website. 

Emomali Rahmon was reportedly warmly welcomed by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.

Then, the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), who visited Moscow to participate in the solemn events on the occasion of the Victory Day and the informal meeting of the CIS Heads of State, had a joint photo session.

In honor of the 79th anniversary of the Victory, a military parade was held in the main center of ceremonial events – Red Square, in which a large number of military personnel participated.

A T-34 Soviet-era tank; photo / Reuters

Over 9,000 military personnel took part in the parade.   The mechanized column was led by a World War II-era T-34 tank, a symbol of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War

After the completion of the military parade on the Red Square, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and other heads of state participating in the ceremonial events laid a wreath in front of the monument of the unknown soldier and honored the memory of the victims of the war.

Victory Day marks the end of World War II in Europe, specifically the capitulation of Nazi forces to the Allies (the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, France, the United States and other principal Allied nations) on May 8, 1945.

In Russia and other countries of former Soviet Union, the day of Victory over Nazi Germany is celebrated on May 9, because when the German Instrument of Surrender actually entered into force (May 8, 1945 at 23:01 CET), it was already May 9 by Moscow time.  Post-Soviet countries have continued the tradition.  

According to some sources, more than 300,000 residents of Tajikistan reportedly took part in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and 92,000 of them died in battle.

64 of residents of Tajikistan were reportedly given the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.  Besides, 15 other Tajikistan’s residents were Full Holders of the Order of Glory.