Serbian soldiers depart for Moscow

Serbian soldiers depart for Moscow

BELGRADE -- A Serbian Army (VS) Guard unit on Saturday department from the Batajnica airport near Belgrade for Moscow where they will take part in the Victory Day parade.

The soldiers were seen off by Serbian Army (VS) Chief of Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic and Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Chepurin.

Dikovic "wished the soldiers success in representing the VS at the parade, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the victory over fascism in World War II."

Speaking to reporters, Chepurin expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Serbian delegation at the military parade will be headed by President Tomislav Nikolic.

"In all wars, Russians and Serbs have been on the same, right side of history and won together, and therefore it would be strange if there were no Serbian soldiers at this historic parade," he said.

Chepurin said that 15,000 Russian and 1,300 foreign soldiers will be taking part in the Moscow military parade, including 70 members of the VS Guard.

In recent history, the VS has participated in military parades in Libya and France. For the first time ever, the Serbian Guard unit that will be marching on Red Square on May 9 will include two women.