MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. An Il-80 airborne strategic command and control post dubbed a ‘doomsday plane’ and cutting-edge MiG-31I fighters will fly over Moscow’s Red Square during the military parade on May 9, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Friday.

Russia will hold its traditional May 9 Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War.

"The airborne part of the military parade on Red Square will feature 77 fixed-and rotary-wing aircraft to represent the number of years that have passed since the end of the Great Patriotic War," the ministry said.

According to the data available on the Russian Defense Ministry’s website dedicated to the upcoming May 9 parade on Moscow’s Red Square, the parade’s airborne part will commence with the flyover of a Mi-26, the world’s largest transport helicopter. Spectators will also be able to see Ka-52, Mi-28N, Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters flying in the skies over Moscow. They will be followed by an Il-80 ‘doomsday’ strategic command post escorted by two MiG-29 fighters. This plane is designed to ensure troop command and control in case of destroyed ground communications.

The flyover will also include Tu-95MS and Tu-160 ‘White Swan’ strategic missile-carrying bombers alongside an Il-78 aerial refueling tanker, Su-35S fighters, the latest MiG-31I and MiG-31BM aircraft and also the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers.

"For the first time, eight MiG-29SMT fighters will fly over Moscow’s Red Square in a flight formation resembling the letter Z in support of Russian troops participating in the special military operation in Ukraine," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

According to the infographics on the ministry’s website, the airborne part of the military parade will be traditionally concluded by nine planes of the Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) and Strizhi (Swifts) aerobatic groups performing the ‘Kubinka Diamond’ stunt and by six Su-25 ground attack aircraft that will release fumes in the colors of the Russian national tricolor flag.

Mechanized column at Russia’s Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square

According to the Defense Ministry’s information, the mechanized column at the Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square will feature 131 weapon systems. A legendary T-34-85, the best tank of the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, will traditionally lead the mechanized column during the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square.

Also, advanced T-72B3M, T-90M ‘Proryv’ and T-14 ‘Armata’ main battle tanks will roll through Moscow’s Red Square on May 9. Spectators will also be able to view Kurganets, BMP-2 ‘Berezhok’ and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, Taifun-K, Taifun-VDV and Tigr-M armored vehicles and Msta-S self-propelled artillery systems. Iskander tactical missile systems, Tornado-G multiple launch rocket systems, S-400, Buk-M3 and Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile systems, Yars ICBM launchers and Uran-9 robotic vehicles will also roll through Moscow’s Red Square on Victory Day.