• Wion
  • /World
  • /In photos | Russia holds Victory Day parade amid shadow of Ukraine war

In photos | Russia holds Victory Day parade amid shadow of Ukraine war

Parade marks anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two
1 / 4

Parade marks anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two

The Victory Day parade celebrates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. 

'A real war unleashed against our homeland': Putin
2 / 4

'A real war unleashed against our homeland': Putin

Addressing the Victory Day parade, Russian President Vladimir Putin told citizens that civilisation today was again at a decisive turning point and a real war had been unleashed against Russia. "We have repulsed international terrorism, we will protect the inhabitants of Donbas, we will ensure our security," Putin added. 

Russians are united in 'sacred' battle with West over Ukraine: Putin
3 / 4

Russians are united in 'sacred' battle with West over Ukraine: Putin

Russian President Putin said on Tuesday that Russian citizens were united in a sacred fight with the West over Ukraine that would end in a victory. He added that "Western global elites" were sowing Russophobia and aggressive nationalism, while the Ukrainian people had become "hostages to a state coup" and to the ambitions of the West.

Leaders of former Soviet republics join Putin on Victory Day parade
4 / 4

Leaders of former Soviet republics join Putin on Victory Day parade

The leaders of former Soviet states including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, and Armenia attended the Victory Day parade. In this photograph, Russian President Putin is accompanied by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.