MINSK -- Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has called on leaders of other countries to attend this week’s military parade in Minsk marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II.
The Belarusian capital is preparing for its annual Victory Day parade on May 9, despite the World Health Organization’s (WHO) call on the country’s authorities to impose social-distancing measures and avoid large public gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"I am publicly calling on leaders of other countries, at least countries of the former [Soviet] Union, to gather in Minsk, which is the right thing to do," Lukashenka said on May 5, rejecting Russian media reports criticizing the Belarusian leader over his handling of the coronavirus outbreak as “lies.”
Belarus currently has more than 18,350 registered coronavirus cases, including 107 deaths, but Lukashenka has publicly dismissed concerns about the dangers of the disease several times.
Belarus Prepares For Victory Day Parade Amid Pandemic
1/14There was no sign of Belarusian soldiers practicing physical distancing as they line up during a parade rehearsal in Minsk on April 6. The preparations for the annual Victory Day parade started on March 17 and will continue until April 16. The annual event marks the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
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2/14Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka announced that his country will not cancel Victory Day celebrations because of the coronavirus pandemic. He will not be attending the event in Minsk, however, because he plans to be in Moscow to mark Russia's May 9 Victory Day parade instead.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
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3/14Belarus's Defense Ministry announced that the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Victory Day will take place in the evening of May 9. The parade is expected to last about an hour.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
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4/14A soldier draws a line on the asphalt for parade coordination.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
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6/14More than 3,000 military personnel are expected to take part in the parade.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
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7/14Soldiers stand in a line during the Victory Day parade rehearsal on April 6. The final rehearsals will take place in Minsk on May 5 and May 7.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
Show moreShow less
8/14The Victory Day parade is expected to feature a column of mechanized weaponry, troops, and aerial units. More than 180 pieces of military hardware will be on display.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
Show moreShow less
11/14Soldiers holding weapons during the rehearsal.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
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12/14Belarusian military officers inspecting their soldiers.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
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13/14Soldiers walk across the square with a "Minsk-Hero-City" sign in the background.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
Show moreShow less
14/14Soldiers pack into buses to leave the rehearsal area.
As several nations continue to quarantine their citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Belarus is planning to throw its annual Victory Day parade and has already held rehearsals in the capital, Minsk.
Show moreShow less
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Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 and is the most important national holiday in Belarus and other former Soviet states.
Belarus and Turkmenistan are the only two former Soviet republics that have not canceled their traditional Victory Day parade this year.
Also on May 5, Belarusian lawmakers approved a bill on a mass amnesty marking the 75th anniversary.
Interior Minister Yury Karayeu told parliament that the bill envisioned the early release of 5,372 inmates.
Prison terms of almost 6,500 convicts will be cut by one year, he said.
The May 9 parade in Minsk is expected to include more than 3,000 military personnel and more than 180 pieces of military hardware.
Thousands of citizens are expected to line up to watch the hour-long parade, which is often followed by picnics and other activities at public locations such as parks.
Belarus lost about a quarter of its population during World War II.
RFE/RL's Belarus Service is one of the leading providers of news and analysis to Belarusian audiences in their own language. It is a bulwark against pervasive Russian propaganda and defies the government’s virtual monopoly on domestic broadcast media.
