In pictures: Putin showcases Russia’s military might as war in Ukraine rages | World News

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The Victory Day that Russia marks on 9 May is the nation’s most important holiday, celebrated with military parades and fireworks across the country.

The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in the Second World War, which it calls the Great Patriotic War.

This year’s enormous spectacle in Russia was another patriotic display of military power – but against the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict.

Putin hits out at West’s ‘invasion plan’ – follow latest updates

Soldiers marched and drove tanks, rocket launchers, missiles and other military equipment through Moscow’s Red Square.

The Russian president used Monday’s pomp and ceremony to boost morale – both at home and abroad – and as an attempt to cast his invasion of Ukraine as a necessary response to Western policies.

The Russian leader has repeatedly accused Ukraine of harbouring aggressive intentions with support from the US and its allies – claims Ukrainian and western officials have denied.

Determined to justify a war now in its 11th week, President Vladimir Putin told a military parade in Red Square to mark the Second World War victory over Nazi Germany: “For Russia, For Victory, Hurrah!”

Russian servicemen march during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 9, 2022, marking the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)                             
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Russian service members take part in the military parade. Pic: AP
Russian service members take part in a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Russian service members take part in a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Russian service members march during a parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
Russian service members march during a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Russian navy sailors march during a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Russian service members march during a parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
Russian service members march during a parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
Russian self-propelled artillery vehicles roll during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 9, 2022, marking the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)    
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Russian self-propelled artillery vehicles: Pic: AP
A security service officer aims his sniper rifle securing the area during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 9, 2022, marking the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)                                           
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Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu drives an Aurus cabriolet during a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
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Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu salutes troops
Russian Tigr-M (Tiger) all-terrain infantry mobility vehicles and Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems drive in Red Square during a parade on Victory Day
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Russian Tigr-M (Tiger) all-terrain infantry mobility vehicles and Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems
Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missile rolls during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 9, 2022, marking the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)    
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Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missile. Pic: AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu speak after a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
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Mr Putin and Mr Shoigu spoke after the event
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a flower-laying ceremony at a memorial to the Hero Cities at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. Sputnik/Anton Novoderzhkin/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
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President Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and placed red carnations on memorials commemorating Soviet Hero Cities that resisted Hitler’s forces

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