About 4,000 military will be involved in the Independence Day military parade on July, 3 in Minsk, the Belarusian Defense Ministry reports.
Unlike in previous years, the event will be held in the evening: it is expected to start at 21.00. The full rehearsal of the parade will take place on July, 1 at the intersection of Victors’ and Masherov avenues.
Officer candidates, students of military schools and departments, guards mechanised, air assault and airborne brigades, as well as special operations troops will participate in the parade; in addition, border guards, police officers, rescue workers will march in review.
Military machinery and equipment that entered service in Belarus will be presented at the parade. A concert by the Armed Forces and a salute have also been added to the event program.
Last week, the first rehearsal of the Independence Day military parade was conducted on the outskirts of Minsk. The local authorities announced restricting traffic in the area. This year, rehearsals are staged near Lipki airfield. Earlier, military vehicles went through the city centre, which usually resulted in many Minskers’ getting stuck in horrendous traffic jams.
The official Independence day is celebrated on July 3, on the day of liberation of the Belarusian capital from German invaders. Such decision was taken by the republican referendum held in1996. Earlier the Independence day had been commemorated on July 27, its celebration being coincided with the day of passing the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1990.
