Mariam Khalatyan

Russian and Armenian troops from the Armenian military units stationed in Gyumri and the Russian 102nd military base are expected to march together in a big military parade dedicated to the 69th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War in Armenia's second-largest city, Gyumri, on May 9. 

The parade will be held in two languages — Armenian and Russian.

Gyumri Deputy Mayor Ruben Sanoyan, when asked by Hetq, found nothing unusual in including the display of Russian military technology and conducting such a parade in Gyumri, especially when it's not a jubilee year. It was a joint decision made by Gyumri City Hall, Shirak regional administration, and RA Ministry of Defense. "We will consider this as practice, ahead of the 70th anniversary, and we will have an even larger parade on the 70th anniversary," Sanoyan told Hetq. 

Armenian and Russian soldiers will march through the square, along with military technology with the exemption of vehicles with caterpillar tracks.

"As there will be problems related to the asphalt, that's why the municipality didn't allow vehicles with caterpillar tracks. We barely managed to get the city, the square in order; we just improved it, and if we brought caterpillar tracks, we would have a lot of problems," said the deputy mayor. 

Initially, the parade was planned for the area around the Mother Armenia of Gyumri memorial monument because having heavy vehicles in the square is dangerous because of the presence of Gyumri's rivulet. However, after several discussions with the local, regional, and national authorities, it was decided that only soldiers will encircle the square, while the military vehicles will enter the square from Shahumyan Street, pass in front of city hall, and leave from Sergo Hambartsumyan Street to Haghtanaki ("Victory") Avenue.

Ruben Sanoyan	Marat Saribekyan

Asked about the risks of the military parade passing through the square in Gyumri, head of the Shirak Marz Rescue Department Marat Saribekyan said he was opposed to the military parade taking place in Vardanants Square. "In any case, I was afraid, and I proposed that heavy vehicles not go on that side," he said, referring to the side with the rivulet. 

Gyumri City Hall, Shirak regional administration, and RA Ministry of Defense representatives decided that the vehicles have to pass in front of city hall. "A part of the rivulet remains under the paved road and a part remains outside. That's why the equipment will pass about 15–20 meters away, so that even the vibration doesn't damage it," said Saribekyan.

Asked whether the heavy equipment passing over several streets won't damage the streets, the rescue department chief said: "We absolutely won't allow for any street to be destroyed. Do you know what the mayor would do? After all, the man did so much work, and to throw it all away — no one will allow it. Mainly, there will be vehicles on wheels, which won't damage the asphalt."

Until Victory Day, Vardanants Square and neighboring streets will be closed for two hours in the evening due to preparations for the big day. 

After the parade, a wreath will be placed at the eternal flame of the Mother of Armenia of Gyumri monument.