Moscow’s Red Square has hosted a massive military parade, as Russia marked 80 years since the defeat of the Nazis in the Second World War.
Victory Day on May 9 is one of Russia’s biggest national holidays, as the country marks the 27 million people who were lost from the former Soviet Union during the conflict.
The Second World War is a rare event in Russia’s divisive history under Communist rule that is revered by all political groups, and the Kremlin has used that sentiment to encourage national pride and underline Russia’s position as a global power.
Speaking at the parade, Mr Putin hailed Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, saying that “we are proud of their courage and determination, their spiritual force that always has brought us victory”.
Fighter jets of Russian air force’s aerobatic teams flew by in close formation followed by jets that trailed smoke in the colours of the national flag.
Festivities this year were overshadowed by Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow and severe disruptions at the capital’s airports.
Mr Putin had declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire starting on May 7 to coincide with the Victory Day celebrations, but warned that Russian troops will retaliate to any attacks. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported scores of Russian strikes on Friday that killed at least two people in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and damaged buildings.
