Russian Honor Guard: United, we parade

BEIJING -- As Beijing counts down for the Sept. 3 military parade commemorating World War II victory, the honor guard formation from Russia is standing by to march through Tian'anmen Square.

As one of 17 foreign formations and representative teams, the Russian Honor Guard is formed by the 76 elite members who were meticulously selected by Russia.

"Like China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Honor Guard, this formation has joined in all major national events, including the Red Square military parade this May," said Alexander Kurov, the leader of the Russian formation.

This is the first visit to China for most of the soldiers in the formation, not to mention joining a Chinese military parade.

According to Anton Mikhaylov, the lieutenant of the formation, their team members feel deeply honored to be the last to appear in the parade. He said they have trained thoroughly and march with the precision of a machine.

Still, they are nervous. "I keep on reminding myself, this parade is like a battle. Once on the battlefield, I can only go forward," said Mikhaylov.

The Russian formation joined a large-scale rehearsal the day after they arrived in Beijing on Aug. 23.

"Our training lasts more than six hours every day. We get up at six o'clock in the morning and the training ends at six in the evening," said Dmitriy Bobrov, the captain of the Russian Formation.

Bobrov, 28, has taken part in nine parades in Russia and served as a flag bearer three times in the Red Square military parade.

"Almost every Russian family has a hero. My grandfather joined World War II and won a Medal of Honor. Therefore joining the Sept.3 military parade has significance for me," said Bobrov.

Besides training, the foreign formations have visited the Great Wall, the Lugou Bridge and the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (MWPRJA).

"The former Soviet Union and China are two countries that took the heaviest toll during the WWII. I was shocked to see those terrible photos. It's hard to imagine the atrocities the Japanese committed against the Chinese people. But the Chinese people didn't succumb to the invaders, instead they showed the world their unyielding spirit," Mikhaylov told Xinhua, after visiting the MWPRJA.

Four months ago, the Chinese PLA marched across the Red Square in Moscow and now the Russian Army is ready to be in Beijing's military parade.

"Our forefathers jointly fought against the fascist enemies and now the Russian and Chinese Army will march together in the military parade. This is to remind us of the sacrifices and victory, and to tell the world Russia and China as allies will unite to make a better future," said Mikhaylov.