. >> this is a special edition of nbc nightly news with tom brokaw now, according to from moscow leaving residents in moscow are now the russian people were still celebrating their victory in world war ii. ♪ ♪ ♪ >> snow sided every russian military, the parade was a reminder of this country still formidable firepower. 9000 soldiers followed past the new war memorial, -- 250 military vehicles, including tanks, artillery, and rocket launchers. thousands of spectators seem to enjoy this tribute to russia's past military glory. even the president clinton and the other western leaders boycotted today's parade, president nelson wanted his countryman and the rest of the world to know that russia's military remains a vital part of this proud nation. >> that was 1995, the 50th anniversary of the allied victory over germany, the russians had every right to throw a huge celebration of that victory, they still do every year. soviet union lost far, far more soldiers and civilians in world war ii than anyone else. 27 million people. but did you catch tom brokaw's they're saying that in 1995, president