France Holds Record Bastille Day Parade With Ukraine as Guest of Honor

France staged its largest-ever Bastille Day military parade on July 14, 2026, with Ukraine's president as guest of honor and thousands of French and European troops marching along the Champs-Elysées. The parade featured nearly 6,700 troops, 98 aircraft, 31 helicopters and 315 vehicles, a record number of military personnel marching the traditional route between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde.

Ukrainian soldiers marched among troops from a coalition of European nations supporting Ukraine, with 25 Ukrainian soldiers following coalition members.

European leaders witnessing the parade included Germany's chancellor and Britain's premier, who has spearheaded European efforts to support Ukraine but is now stepping down. The parade followed a summit of Ukraine's allies hosted by France's president the previous day.

French aircraft flew over the avenue carrying dummy weapons including the Scalp cruise missile for the first time, demonstrating combat readiness. Griffon and Jaguar armored vehicles and drones mounted on transport trucks showcased equipment modernization.

This year's parade marks France's president's last as president before he steps down next year after two consecutive terms. Ukrainian pilots trained in France co-piloted two French Mirage 2000s in a flyover, planes transferred to Ukraine to defend its airspace.

The event commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress during the French Revolution and comes 10 years after a truck attack in Nice killed 86 people during Bastille Day celebrations.

"What is marching past is a Europe united and determined to support Ukraine in the face of Russia – a Europe confident in itself," deputy defense minister Alice Rufo told RTL radio. "The message we send to the world is this: Yes, peace is our goal. Yes, we cherish freedom and the rule of law.

And yes, we stand ready to fight to defend them. Always, and at the cost of blood if necessary," France's president said in a speech to the armed forces. Tens of thousands of spectators attended despite a scorching heatwave, having obtained special QR codes to cross the security perimeter.