MOSCOW, April 13. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces Gen. Oleg Salyukov will use Russia’s Aurus premium-class cars with open tops during the Victory Day parade on the Red Square, a military source has told TASS.

"The decision has already been made about Aurus convertibles taking part in the parade on the Red Square to mark the 74th anniversary of victory in World War II," the source said.

According to him, the cars are now undergoing final trials during the parade rehearsals.

"When all the three vehicles - two main cars and one reserve car - are ready, they will enter service with the 147th automotive base of the Russian Defense Ministry," the source added.

During previous parades, the defense minister and the commander-in-chief of the ground forces used ZIL vehicles.

Aurus is a Russian brand of cars for senior officials. The name combines the two words Aurus: "aurum" (a Latin word for "gold") and "Russia." The car was designed as part of the Cortege project, implemented by NAMI (Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute) in Moscow, Russia, since 2013.

Initially the goal was to design a limousine for the Russian president. The project envisages by now the creation of the line of cars on the base of a single platform (sedan, limousine, minivan and sport utility vehicle (SUV)).

An Aurus limousine was first used during the inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 2018. Then, the cars were put on display during the Moscow International Auto Salon on August 29, 2018.