Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (C, front) applauds during a parade commemorating the victory of World War II in Nis, Serbia, on May 10, 2019. Serbian infantry, paratroopers as well as motorized and airborne echelons marched in front of thousands of spectators, within the joint police and military parade staged in the city of Nis on Friday to commemorate the victory of World War II. (Xinhua/Nemanja Cabric)
NIS, Serbia, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Serbian infantry, paratroopers as well as motorized and airborne echelons marched in front of thousands of spectators, within the joint police and military parade staged in the city of Nis on Friday to commemorate the victory of World War II.
The parade "Defense of Liberty" started at 11 a.m. local time at the Nikola Tesla Boulevard in Nis with in front of Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, government members, army and police officers and guests.
Paratroopers of the Serbian army jumped from a helicopter at an altitude of 2,000 meters, carrying the national flag across the sky to mark the beginning of the demonstration.
In the next 1.5 hours, audience observed the march of some 4,000 soldiers and policemen, equipped with latest weapons and gadgets designed and produced in Serbia.
The parade included 300 vehicles and 40 aircraft, including Mig-29 airplanes, Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters, modernized T-72 tanks, aircraft "Lasta", "Supergaleb G4" and "Orao".
Other highlights included the armored vehicle "Lazar 3", rocket launcher system "Sumadija", howitzer "Nora B-52" and the surface-to-air missile "S-125 Neva".
Vucic, who is also the Supreme Commander of Serbian Armed Forces, said that army and police officers marked Victory Day in an impressive way and assessed today's performance with the highest mark.
"Serbia is a free country, and will not allow anyone to endanger its freedom. You make us proud, you are the pride of Serbia, and I assess your work, efforts, diligence, equipment and training with -- very good!" Vucic said in his brief statement to soldiers and officers after the parade.
