In pictures: Vladimir Putin delivers speech as Moscow's Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square
The Kremlin leader has said Russia’s military action in Ukraine is a timely and necessary response to Western policies.
Addressing the nation, he said the invasion of Ukraine - what he called a "special military operation" - was necessary and had been provoked by the West.
He called Nato "an obvious threat" to Russia and said the Russian military operation had been necessary and the "right decision" and finished his speech to cheers from soldiers in Red Square, cannon fire and the Russian national anthem.
1. Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech during the Victory Day military parade at Red Square
Mr Putin again scolded the West for failing to heed the Russian demands for security guarantees and a rollback to Nato’s expansion, arguing that it also left Moscow no other choice but to invade. Picture; Mikhail Metzel, Getty Photo: MIKHAIL METZEL
2. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu leave Red Square after the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu leave Red Square after the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2022. -Picture Kirill Kudryavtsev via Getty Images) Photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV
3. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2022. - Russia celebrates the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. Picture, Anton Novoderezhkin / Getty. Photo: ANTON NOVODEREZHKIN
4. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu leave Red Square after the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2022. - Russia celebrates the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Photo by Kirill Kudryavtsev Getty Images) Photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV