Independence Day Military Parade (video)

CHISINAU, August 27, 2016 — Over 2,000 veterans, National Army service members, and representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security and Intelligence Service, and State Protection and Guard Service marched today on Marii Adunari Nationale Square, during the Military Parade on the Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova.

For the first time, at the invitation of the Minister of Defense, among the participants to this year parade were contingents from the 30th Guard Brigade “Mihai Viteazul” and Association “Military Tradition” (Romania), Royal Irish Regiment (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Military Academy of Odessa (Ukraine), Honor Guard Company of the “Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas” Staff Battalion (Lithuania), as well as the Honor Guard Battalion (Poland).

The event started at 10:30 and was attended by the leadership of the Republic of Moldova, diplomats, defense ministers, and representatives of the armies of Poland, Romania, Germany, Belarus, Ukraine, Turkey, Hungary, France, Lithuania, guests, as well as thousands of Moldovan citizens.

The military parade was opened by Parade’s Commander, Brigadier Gen. Igor Cutie, owner of “Credinta Patriei” order, holder of “Meritul Militar” medal, and participant to the war for the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, as well as by the standard-bearers group carrying the State Flag of the Republic of Moldova, the Ruler Flag, and Stefan cel Mare’s Battle Flag.

This year parade brought together over 1,200 soldiers from National Army units, including 140 veterans of Dniester war of spring-summer 1992, about 440 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, over 50 representatives of the State Protection and Guard Service, as well as over 50 representatives of the Security and Intelligence Service.

the troops’ march was followed by 36 National Army military vehicles and weapons systems used by the infantry, artillery, and anti-air defense units and the peacekeeping and special forces, 22 special intervention vehicles of Civil Protection and Emergency Situations Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and vehicles of the State Protection and Guard Service.

The military parade marking the 25th anniversary since the Republic of Moldova declared its independence ended with the show presented by the joint orchestra of Chisinau garrison, comprised of five military orchestras: Presidential Orchestra of the Republic of Moldova, Orchestra of “Moldova” Brigade from Balti, Orchestra of “Stefan cel Mare” Brigade from Chisinau, Orchestra of “Dacia” Brigade from Cahul, Model orchestra of Carabineer Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Military Band of Border Police of MIA.

The last military parade took place in Chisinau, in 2011.