PUTIN presided over an extensive military parade attended by numerous world leaders to commemorate Victory Day on the 80th anniversary of the Nazis’ defeat.
Guests of honour include China’s President Xi Jinping at what Russia promised would be the “biggest ever” show of pomp and military might.
As the parade kicked off this morning in Moscow’s Red Square, a string of foreign leaders were seen arriving at the Kremlin – some greeted by Putin.
Putin then 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.
Hundreds of soldiers clutching rifles and flags marched in perfect unison to a thunderous brass band.
Putin and Xi Jinping could be seen chatting away as they took in the proceedings.
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.
The presence of such a large number of heads of state, including Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, serves as a significant PR success for Moscow. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate to the West that their attempts to isolate 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.
The Soviet Union suffered the loss of an astounding 27 million people during the Great Patriotic War from 1941 to 1945, a huge sacrifice that left a profound mark on the national consciousness.
Festivities this year were overshadowed by Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow and severe disruptions at the capitals airports.
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