President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday opened Russia’s Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow, a bombastic celebration of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.

Footage from state television showed Putin stood alongside World War II veterans, as Russian army personnel donning ceremonial uniforms marched alongside a military brass band.

In his speech, Putin pledged to protect the residents of Donbass and ensure Russia’s security, stating a war has been unleashed against Russia.

He identified an array of Western countries, who he stated want to achieve the collapse and destruction of Russia, ultimately breaking the system of global security and international law, and obliterating any sovereign development centers.

Putin also accused Western countries of provoking conflicts, coups, and destroying traditional values to continue dictating their own rules.

Source: Sputnik news agency (edited by Al-Manar English Website)