Four MiG-31K attack aircrafts in the role of Kinzhal missile carriers and four Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets will take part in an aerial display to be held as part of the May 9 Victory Day celebrations on Moscow's Red Square, a military source told TASS on Tuesday.
"The aerial display of the parade will involve 55 planes and 20 helicopters: 75 aircraft in total to mark the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War, including four Kinzhal systems and four Su-57," he said.
According to the source, the group will also comprise a Beriev A-50 early warning and control aircraft, Il-76 transport planes, Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers, Tu-22M3 long-range strategic and maritime strike bombers, Su-24 and Su-34 attack aircraft. A Tu-160 plane and an Il-78 tanker will simulate aerial refuelling during the parade. The group will also include MiG-29, Su-30 and Su-35S fighter jets, as well as Mi-26, Mi-8, Ka-52, Mi-35 and Mi-28N helicopters.
So far there has been no decisions to change the plans for the May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow in view of the coronavirus risks. Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov, too, said earlier that preparations for the parade proceeded as expected and there had been no decisions to change the date or agenda.
Anton Kobyakov, an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has asked the country’s executive cabinet not to issue invitations to anyone over 65 years old for the 75th-anniversary celebration of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. The guests excluded will include all living veterans of the war. Interfax confirmed the official’s request after reports of its existence appeared on social media. Kobyakov, who leads the organising committee for the Victory Day parade, explained that older guests will not be invited due to the spread of COVID-19; they are at an increased risk of complications from the illness.
