WHEN it comes to putting on a display of military might, it seems the Russians literally can't BEAR the thought of looking second best.
That was clear at the bizarre closing ceremony for the Spasskaya Tower Military Tattoo held in Moscow's Red Square on Sunday night -- where a prancing brown bear led the final parade.
The glitzy celebration also featured sky-busting fireworks and music from military bands from across the Russian armed forces.
It was the culmination of a week of pomp and regalia in the Russian capital as the annual festival, which was set up on the orders of tough guy president Vladimir Putin, took place for the ninth time.
It will certainly be difficult for organisers to claw their way to a more spectacular performance next year...
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Dancing bear leads closing ceremony of the ninth annual Spasskaya Tower military music festivalCredit: Getty Images
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Baton twirler from the Honour Guard of the Russian Presidential Regiment performsCredit: Getty Images
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Bizarre ceremony took place at Moscow's famous Red Square on SundayCredit: Getty Images
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Pomp was the name of the game during the spectacular closing ceremonyCredit: Getty Images
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The International Scottish Highland Dance Team also had centre stage during the final paradeCredit: Getty Images
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French singer Mireille Mathieu has performed for seven years in a row at the festivalCredit: Getty Images
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The Kremlin was lit up during the impressive final showCredit: Getty Images
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Breathtaking fireworks at Red Square as the week-long contest came to an endCredit: Getty Images
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Mireille Mathieu looks on as big beast is brought to the front of the paradeCredit: Getty Images
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A band from the Mongolian Army has its turn in the spotlightCredit: Getty Images
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Mireille Mathieu arrives in a convertable car waving to the crowdsCredit: Getty Images
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The Honour Guard and the Band of the Armed Forces perform at the closing ceremonyCredit: Getty Images
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The Honour Guard and the Band of the Armed Forces take part in the choreographed spectacleCredit: Getty Images
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Fireworks light up the sky at the closing ceremony of the 9th Spasskaya Tower international military music festivalCredit: Getty Images
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Crowds of military performers march through Red SquareCredit: Getty Images
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Breathtaking fireworks rounded off the strange closing paradeCredit: Getty Images
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Bands from across the world came to compete at the festival set up under the orders of Vladimir Putin in 2007Credit: Getty Images
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A conductor keeps the oncoming bands in timeCredit: Getty Images
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The Carabinieri band from Rome, Italy perform in MoscowCredit: Getty Images
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The Band of the Moscow Military Music College fire off pyrotechnics during the pompous performanceCredit: Getty Images
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Players are lit up by sparkling drums during their final actCredit: Getty Images
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Musicians from the Moscow Military Music College round off the closing ceremonyCredit: Getty Images
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