Victory Day marks the final surrender by Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in WWII, often referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union.
After a 17-year break outgoing President Vladimir Putin gave the go ahead for the resumption of military flyovers and displays by sophisticated military hardware during this year's Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square.
During the rehearsal "the planes were flown by pilots - group leaders, who will fly over Moscow during the May 9 parade. The other pilots were in a Mi-8 helicopter and other planes. They also followed the entire route," Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky said.
He said the next practice by the Air Force, which will include all 32 aircraft, is due to be held on May 5 under the supervision of Colonel-General Alexander Zelin, the service commander.
The Moscow military parade will see a display of the country's most advanced weaponry, such as BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, T-90 tanks, and Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile mobile launchers.
The Air Force will be represented by Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers, Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers, MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors, An-124 Condor heavy-lift transport planes, as well as helicopters of various types.
