MOSCOW has hosted a grand military parade in front of dozens of world leaders to mark Victory Day on the 80th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazis.
Putin used Russia’s “biggest-ever” show of pomp and military might to hark back to the Soviet Union’s triumph and whip up patriotism.
A string of foreign leaders attended the 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 the “whole of Russia” backs his 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 paid tribute to the sacrifice of the allied forces and the “courageous people of China”, and led the parade in observing a minute’s silence.
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 dozens of armoured tanks trundled past and fighter jets trailing the colours of Russia’s flag stormed overhead.
Armies from other countries including Egypt and Azerbaijan joined the Russian troops in a symbol of solidarity.
Putin sat next to Xi Jinping, and the two could be seen chatting away as they took in the proceedings.
He later strolled past lines of WW2 veterans, shaking their hands and thanking them for their service.
The decadent military show is designed to rally patriotism and support for Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The event – celebrating the defeat of Nazism in WW2 – is a key part of Russia’s national identity.
Having numerous world leaders, such as , visit Moscow, is a significant public relations achievement and an opportunity to demonstrate to the Western countries that their attempts to ostracize Russia have not succeeded.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico attended the parade despite warnings from Brussels – the only leader from the European Union taking part.
Russia declared a a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine, which began on Wednesday.
But Ukraine has dismissed the truce as a farce and slammed today’s events a “parade of cynicism”.
Kyiv also warned that it cannot 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 accused Putin of breaking the ceasefire just hours after it began.
The military reported that Russia had launched around a hundred guided bombs into the northern Sumy region.
The day before the parade, Xi and Putin met in the Kremlin, where the two held talks for more than three hours.
After their meeting, Putin addressed the Chinese leader as his “dear friend”, while the two issued messages of defiance towards the West.
During the years 1941-45, the Soviet Union suffered a massive loss of 27 million individuals in what they refer to as the Great Patriotic War. This immense sacrifice had a profound impact on the country’s collective mentality.
Festivities this year were overshadowed by Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow and severe disruptions at the capitals airports.
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