MOSCOW has paraded nukes, tanks, drones and armed troops past dozens of world leaders in a show of strength to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two.
Putin whipped up patriotism in Russia's biggest military display since launching its invasion - but Ukraine slammed it as a "parade of cynicism".
A string of foreign leaders attended the annual Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square - including China's Xi Jinping and Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Putin took the mic to claim that "peace and justice are on our side," and that Russia is united behind the war in Ukraine.
He said: "The whole country, society and people support the participants of the special military operation.
"We are proud of their bravery and determination, of the fortitude that has always brought us only victory."
He claimed that the Soviet Union was the key defeater of the Nazis, saying: “We won both wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance."
This was a direct counter-claim against Donald Trump, who last week said the US was the most important.
Putin's monologue was followed by a volley of cannon fire and a well-oiled military procession.
Around 11,000 soldiers clutching rifles and flags marched in perfect unison to a thunderous brass band.
Enormous nuclear warheads and armoured tanks trundled past, and fighter jets stormed overhead trailing the colours of Russia's flag.
Drones were included in the parade for the first time, in recognition of their increasing significance on the battlefield.
Armies from other countries including Egypt and Azerbaijan joined the Russian troops in a symbol of solidarity.
Putin sat next to China's President Xi Jinping, and the two could be seen chatting away as they took in the proceedings.
Vlad later strolled past lines of WW2 veterans, shaking their hands and thanking them for their service.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico attended the parade despite warnings from Brussels - the only EU leader to do so.
The decadent military display was designed was designed to reinvigorate support for Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Russia expert Stephen Hall told The Sun: "Russia is trying to highlight they're not isolated, that it's business as usual and that they have the capacity to show military force.
"But we have to remember that a lot of this is for show, and also that this is the 80th anniversary of a celebration that is very important to Vladimir Putin."
The defeat of the Nazis in WW2 is a key part of Russia's national identity, and Putin has often invoked the history to justify his warmongering.
He said today: "Russia has been and will remain an indestructible barrier against Nazism, Russophobia and anti-Semitism."
Kyiv said the parade has "nothing to do with the victory over Nazism" and that those marching on Red Square were "quite likely" implicit in crimes against Ukrainians.
Ahead of the parade, Russia declared a three-day ceasefire, which began on Wednesday.
But Ukraine dismissed the truce as a farce and slammed today's events as a "parade of cynicism".
Kyiv also warned that it could not guarantee the safety of world leaders attending.
Zelensky again pushed for a longer, 30-day ceasefire - but those pleas continue to fall on deaf Russian ears.
Ukraine also accused Putin of breaking the ceasefire just hours after it began.
The military reported that Russia continued with assaults in the east and launched around a hundred guided bombs at the northern Sumy region.
Russia's festivities this year were overshadowed by the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks against Moscow.
Security was cranked up in the city, where authorities have jammed mobile signal.
Xi and Putin met in the Kremlin the day before the parade, where the two spoke for more than three hours.
After their meeting, Putin addressed the Chinese leader as his "dear friend", and the pair issued messages of defiance towards the West.
The Soviet Union lost a staggering 27 million people in what it calls the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45 - an enormous sacrifice that left a deep scar in the national psyche.
Taiwan hit out at Russia and China following the parade, accusing them of distorting the truth of World War 2.
It said the Chinese communist forces made "no substantial contribution" to fighting Japan, and instead exploited the opportunity to expand their own forces.
6,000.000+downloads/Free/Bengali/Version2.3.4
777 BDT IPL 2025 Sports First Deposit Bonus
