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DONETSK - The Donetsk self-declared republic's defense ministry on Monday demonstrated the military hardware to be displayed in a military parade marking victory over Nazi Germany on May 9.

“The military hardware to be displayed during a military parade on May 9 includes four BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, four self-propelled artillery systems and eight guns. We have sent an official letter to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe saying that the weapons would be painted, put in proper trim, and they will not be combat worthy,” Ihor Yahelsky, the artillery commander of the republic defense ministry’s artillery corps, told journalists.

He also said that under the Minsk accords this military hardware must be officially removed from the line of contact, but it will be kept in Donetsk until May 10. “We have brought this military hardware to Donetsk because it cannot be prepared for the parade in field conditions. It will be moved back to permanent bases on the morning of May 10,” he said.

The weapons to be displayed during the parade will be decorated with victory ribbons and have white painted stripes. “Each column will consist of three weapon systems of various types and one spare system if any of the other systems goes out of order,” Yahelsky said.