The 1985 Moscow Victory Day Parade (Russian: Парад Победы, tr. Parad Pobedy) was held on 9 May 1985 on the Red Square in Moscow to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Victory in Europe.[1][2] The parade marked the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War. It was the first V-Day parade held since 1965, and the third of four Victory Day parades held during the Soviet Union's existence.
Prior to 1965 Victory Day was not a major holiday and parades were not held, with the exception of the 1945 Victory Day Parade.[3] The Victory Parade of 1985 was the third made after 1945 Victory Day Parade. After this parade next would be held 1990.
The parade was observed by Soviet leaders from the Lenin Mausoleum. Major political figures attending were General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, and Minister of Defense Marshal Sergei Sokolov among others. The parade was commanded by the Moscow Military District Commander General of the Army Pyotr Lushev, and was his last major national parade in this capacity. During this parade veterans marched in Red Square for the first time, the next time being in 1990.
Following the limousine carrying General of the Army Lushev, the parade marched past Red Square in the following order:[4]
Providing the ceremonial music for the parade was the massed bands of the Moscow Military District, under the overall direction of Major General Nikolay Mikhailov.