Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the defeat of Nazi Germany at the traditional massive Red Square military parade, which was delayed by more than a month because of coronavirus.
The parade is usually held on May 9 on Victory Day, Russia’s most important secular holiday, but was postponed until Wednesday.
The timing allowed Russia to mark another significant war-era event, the 75th anniversary of the Red Square parade by troops returning home after the victory over the Nazis.
It also came ahead of a vote to change the constitution set for July 1 that could see Mr Putin stay in power for another 16 years.
Russian army Mi-8 military helicopters fly over Red Square Credit: Alexey Maishev/APRussian sailors march towards Red Square Credit: Mikhail Voskresenskiy/APRussian President Vladimir Putin delivers his speech Credit: Sergey Pyatakov/APRusskiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) and Strizhi (Swifts) aerobatic teams fly their Sukhoi Su-30SM and Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jets over Red Square Credit: Iliya Pitalev/APRussian soldiers dressed in Soviet Red Army Second World War uniforms Credit: Pavel Golovkin/APSoviet T-34 tanks roll towards Red Square during the Victory Day military parade Credit: Vladimir Pesnya/AP
Russian soldiers on parade Credit: Alexander Zemlianichenko/APT-34 tanks from the Soviet era Credit: Alexander Zemlianichenko/APRussian warplanes fly over Red Square Credit: Alexander Zemlianichenko/APSoldiers from China’s People’s Liberation Army march Credit: Pavel Golovkin/APRussian defence minister Sergei Shoigu, front, salutes to his soldiers Credit: Alexander Wilf/APRussian President Vladimir Putin, centre, and, defense minister Sergei Shoigu, left, leave Red Square after the Victory Day military parade Credit: Pavel Golovkin/AP