European troops and warplanes join Paris Bastille Day parade in a show of unity for Ukraine

PARIS (AP) — This year’s Bastille Day celebrations aren’t just about France. Troops and warplanes from around Europe are joining Tuesday’s pomp-filled parade through Paris, in what’s meant to be a showcase of support for Ukraine and proof of European military strength.

On President Emmanuel Macron’s last Bastille Day as president, he is hosting around 30 other leaders for an event that appears aimed at showing both Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump that Europe is united and stepping up to defend itself.

Meanwhile, raging forest fires and a red-alert heat wave are shaking up France’s biggest national holiday, forcing the cancellation of traditional fireworks and firefighters’ balls.

Here’s what to know about Bastille Day this year.

It’s celebrated on July 14 because that’s the day Parisians stormed the Bastille fortress and prison in 1789, helping spark the French Revolution that overthrew the monarchy and sent King Louis XVI and his queen Marie-Antoinette to the guillotine.

Today, the day is central to the French calendar. Presidents use it to vaunt France’s accomplishments and national pride, mayors host village festivals and families gather for holiday meals.

The centerpiece is the Paris parade beneath the Napoleon-era Arc de Triomphe and along the Champs-Elysees avenue, which inspired Trump to stage his own parade last year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join Macron along with some 30 other heads of state or government in the special viewing area for the parade.

Ukrainian troops will march along the cobblestoned avenue, and Ukrainian co-pilots trained in France will fly two Mirage 2000B fighter jets alongside French air force pilots.

Macron said Monday night that it’s a ″great honor″ to welcome to the parade ″all the partners in the coalition of the willing and our Ukrainian friends who will march with us and illustrate its strategic reawakening and our unity.″

On the ground, the parade will open with around 500 troops from the ″coalition of the willing″ grouping of countries that have pledged to help with Ukraine’s post-war security.

In the skies, aircraft from Germany, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Poland, Denmark, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Spain and Italy will take part.

The parade will set a record in terms of number of troops: 6,800 troops will take part in the marching parade this year, compared with 5,810 in 2025.

Forest fires are raging in the Fontainebleau forest south of Paris and in areas of southern France, as the country suffers through its third heat wave this year.

As a result, authorities in some regions — including the French capital — banned fireworks and firefighters' balls customarily held around Bastille Day.

The Eiffel Tower's drone light show was maintained, however, and held Monday night.

Fireworks and drones illuminate the Eiffel Tower in Paris, during the eve of Bastille Day celebrations late Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

Fireworks and drones illuminate the Eiffel Tower in Paris, during the eve of Bastille Day celebrations late Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

Fireworks and drones illuminate the Eiffel Tower in Paris, during the eve of Bastille Day celebrations, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his traditional address to the armed forces on the eve of the Bastille Day parade at the Ministry of Defense in Paris, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla, Pool)

French President Emmanuel Macron greets senior military officers after his traditional address to the armed forces on the eve of the Bastille Day parade at the Ministry of Defense in Paris, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla, Pool)

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — The bodies of 15 Indian tourists who died when a speedboat capsized off southern Vietnam last week were being returned home Monday.

The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members when it overturned near shore Saturday afternoon, shortly after leaving Hon May Rut Ngoai island near Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, authorities said.

The boat's captain, Nguyen Hong Hai, 57, is under investigation for alleged violations of waterway transport safety regulations, state media reported.

The flight carrying the remains from Ho Chi Minh City would arrive in Mumbai late Monday, the Indian Embassy said on social media. It said the home states were asked to coordinate further travel. Ten of the dead were from Tamil Nadu state, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Kerala.

Lava International, a smartphone and consumer electronics manufacturer, based in Uttar Pradesh, said the group was on a company trip for employees, distributors and retail partners.

The embassy previously said 16 survivors were released from the hospital and returning to India.

Nirmal Kumar, 44, a businessman, said what began as a leisurely trip descended into chaos within minutes as a storm lashed the boat.

A large wave crashed into the vessel, triggering panic among passengers, he said. He said the boat rocked violently in rough waters before it capsized, adding that the vessel appeared increasingly difficult to control.

“People rushed from one side of the boat to the other, and then they started jumping,” Kumar told The Associated Press. “I also jumped into the water.”

Rescue teams arrived within five minutes, he said, and pulled survivors from the water.

Kumar said the experience has left him traumatized. Among those who died was one of his childhood friends, who had traveled with him expecting a memorable holiday.

“I still can’t process that he is dead,” Kumar said.

One survivor remained in critical condition and was transferred Monday to Cho Ray Hospital, one of Vietnam’s premier public hospitals, in Ho Chi Minh City for specialized treatment.

Doctors told state media outlet Vietnam News that the 49-year-old man had severe lung damage after nearly drowning, along with shock, multiple injuries and bleeding in the brain.

Dr. Tran Thanh Linh, head of the hospital’s intensive care unit, told state media that his blood pressure and blood oxygen levels had improved.

The scene of the capsizing is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Phu Quoc, one of Vietnam’s most popular beach destinations. Both are known for their white sandy beaches and clear waters, drawing millions of domestic and foreign tourists each year.

India is one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing tourism markets.

Saaliq reported from New Delhi, India.

Exterior of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health's Forensic Center, where remains of Indian tourists who died after a speedboat capsized are kept, in in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Minh Tran)

Investigators with crew members involved in the speedboat incident in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (VNA/Tran Van Si)