Vladimir Putin has used his annual Victory Day speech in Moscow, marking the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War, to justify his war in Ukraine and denounce Nato.
He was speaking as he oversaw a scaled-back parade on Red Square, held under heavy security, with fears of a Ukrainian attack and growing public concern in Russia over the war.
For the first time in years, no armoured vehicles or ballistic missiles featured in Moscow’s Victory Day parade. They were instead shown large TV screens.
The Russian president said he was fighting a “just” war and called Ukraine an “aggressive force” that is being “armed and supported by the whole bloc of Nato”.
His remarks come amid muted celebrations across Russia to mark the nation’s biggest national holiday.
Ahead of the celebrations Russia and Ukraine agreed to observe a three-day ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump on Friday.
Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.
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