MOSCOW, December 19 /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has ordered holding military parades in 26 Russian cities, including the Crimean ports of Kerch and Sevastopol, on May 9 to mark the 70th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945).

“Following instructions from the Russian president, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces, military parades in honor of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War should be prepared and held in 26 Russian cities, nine of which bear the hero’s title, including the ports of Sevastopol and Kerch,” Shoigu told an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry’s board on Friday.

Military parades will take place in 36 Russian cities on May 9.