Ukrainian Troops Take Part in London Parade

Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the multinational Operation Interflex took part in a parade in London to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in Europe.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to a post on Facebook by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The parade in the British capital took place on 5 May.

In his speech, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said: ‘In the midst of the first full-scale war in Europe since the Second World War, it is fitting that the Armed Forces of Ukraine, now fighting on the frontlines of freedom, were represented at the event. Eighty years after Victory Day, we will honour our war veterans, our greatest generation. We will ensure that their spirit lives on not only in our Armed Forces, but also in our values and commitment to strength through unity.’

This unification symbolises global support for ‘Ukraine's continued fight for freedom against Russia's unprovoked, illegal invasion’, the UK Ministry of Defence said.

Victory Day in Europe, also known as VE Day, is celebrated annually on 8 May to mark the day when the Allies officially accepted Germany's surrender in 1945.

The members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces who took part in the parade are in the UK as part of the multinational Operation Interflex, a UK Armed Forces training programme for Ukrainian recruits, which is being conducted with 12 partner countries.

The UK and its allies have trained more than 54,000 Ukrainians in frontline combat skills since the programme was launched in the summer of 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion.

The military procession began at noon in Parliament Square, marked by the ringing of the Big Ben bells, and followed a route down past Whitehall, through the Admiralty Arch and ended at Buckingham Palace.

As the Ukrainian contingent, flying the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine, passed by the Royal Family box and leading UK politicians, they received a military salute from King Charles III and applause.

Spectators near the Admiralty Arch applauded as the Ukrainian military contingent passed by in the procession.

The parade, led by the Household Cavalry Horse Regiment and the Royal Horse Artillery of the Royal Army, featured three branches of the armed forces.

They included servicemen and women from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force, cadets, youth groups and seven military bands.

In addition to Ukraine, the ceremony was attended by military personnel from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, carrying the flags of their respective countries.

The event concluded with a flight featuring the Red Arrows and 23 military aircraft, both modern and historic.

World War II veterans watched from the Royal Box at the Queen Victoria Memorial, including 101-year-old Normandy landings veteran Jack Mortimer, who said: ‘People from all over the world joined forces 80 years ago to defend freedom - we must remember all their sacrifices.’

As The Gaze reported earlier, US President Donald Trump has announced that from now on, 8 May will be World War II Victory Day in America.