A large-scale military parade was held today in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on Saturday despite a rise in coronavirus cases.

The Victory Day military parade marked the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory over the Nazi regime.

Belarus has been an outlier among European states in not imposing strict restrictions on residents despite the coronavirus pandemic.

In interviews, local citizens back their government's decision to hold the Victory Day parade amid the pandemic.

"it is necessary to celebrate the end of the World War II," Anatoly Skacel said. "Celebrate in order to make peace."

Bondarik Pavel Nikolaevich said: "I am a native Belarusian, I served for about 30 years in the armed forces of the Soviet Union and I am very proud that a parade was held in Belarus. This holiday is sacred. And for Belarusians in particular, where one in three died in the war."

The solemn beginning was at 11.00 at the stele "Minsk-hero city" and was accompanied by a military parade. Its main feature this year is the display of only new and modernized samples of military equipment. More than 3 thousand military personnel and 185 pieces of equipment participated. 42 aircraft will fly over the capital.
At 13.00, the ceremony of laying flowers at the Victory monument began. Official delegations of state bodies, labor collectives of the capital's enterprises, representatives of public and trade Union organizations, district administrations, clergy, deputies, and youth came to honor the memory of those who died during the great Patriotic war. The event lasted until 16.30.

Translation of the interview:

Q: Is it good that Belarus did not refuse to hold the parade?
A: Of course, I welcome this decision, it is wise. it is not wise to divide the victory between Putin and Lukashenko. These consequences are dangerous. Therefore, I believe that in order for the planet Earth to be reconciled, it is necessary to celebrate the end of the Second world war, the second of September, with the whole world. All the countries of the world will agree, so I sent my wish to the presidential administration of Kochanova, Ryzhenkova and others. Celebrate in order to make peace. And not share the victory. I was ashamed to hear all these arguments between all the heads of world civilization. Normandy 4, capture of Kiev. Therefore, I created a memorial in Pukhovichi on this topic. The memorial is dedicated to the recognition of a generation of war children as prisoners of Nazism and the return of our status. Anatoly Skacel

Q: Do you think it is a good thing that Belarus, despite all this world situation, held a parade and held this memorial day?
A: I am a native Belarusian, I served for about 30 years in the armed forces of the Soviet Union and I am very proud that a parade was held in Belarus and our President, Alexander Lukashenko, correctly noted this. Q: So your opinion is that in any situation, do not forget about this great holiday?
A: This holiday is sacred for all progressive humanity. And for Belarusians in particular, where every third person died. Bondarik Pavel Nikolaevich