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MOSCOW, April 28 (UPI) -- Russia revealed a new battle tank little over a week before holding World War II Victory Day celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany. The Russian Defense Ministry released photos of military hardware that will be showcased in a traditional military parade in Moscow's Red Square on May 9, including the new tank.
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The Armata T-14 has a 125mm smooth-bore cannon that shoots missiles and shells from an unmanned turret, according to Russian media. Its two-man crew is housed in a reinforced chamber apart from the main gun, offering greater protection, and the tank has a chassis adaptable to other weapon systems.
Starting in 2020, Russia plans to integrate 2,300 Armatas into its forces, replacing Soviet-era systems such as the T-90, the current mainstay of Russian armored units, the BBC reports.
According to TASS Russian News Agency, Victory Day parades will be held in 28 cities and feature more than 78,500 military servicemen and almost 2,000 pieces of military hardware, including 238 aircraft and 51 battle ships.
The Red Square parade alone will include 15,000 Russian troops, 1,300 foreign troops, including Serbian elite guards, Chinese guards of honor and Indian grenadiers, 200 armored vehicles and 150 combat aircraft, the BBC reports.
Russia reportedly invited 68 heads of state to the Moscow parade, as well as United Nations, Council of Europe, UNESCO and European Union chiefs.
The United States, France and the United Kingdom -- Russia's allies during World War II -- will not attend the event out of protest toward Moscow's role in Ukraine, including last year's annexation of Crimea and accusations of ongoing support for separatists in Ukraine's east.
Western powers and the Ukrainian government say Russia is supplying troops to the rebels, but Russian President Vladimir Putin says any Russian soldiers in Ukraine are merely "volunteers."
