Putin hosts massive Victory Day parade with thousands of troops as threat of Ukrainian strike looms despite ceasefire

TODAY Putin hosts world leaders for a massive victory parade in Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazis.

Guests of honour include China’s President Xi Jinping at what Russia has promised will be the “biggest ever” show of pomp and military might.

sky newsPutin took to the mic to rally Russia behind his war[/caption] Hundreds of soldiers line up in formation as the parade kicks off Putin and Xi Jinping

As the parade kicked off this morning, a string of foreign leaders were seen arriving at the Kremlin.

President Vladimir Putin was seen greeting Xi and some of the other two dozen foreign leaders.

Taking the mic, Putin claimed: “Peace and justice are on our side,” and said that the “whole of Russia” backs the senseless war in Ukraine.

He continued: “We remember the second world war. Our duty is to defend the dignity of the soldiers of the Russian army.”

He also vowed to continue fighting “Russophobia” and led the parade in observing a minute’s silence to recognise the sacrifice of the allies 80 years ago.

Putin’s monologue was followed by a volley of cannon fire and a well-oiled military procession.

Hundreds of soldiers clutching rifles and flags marched in perfect unison across the square.

The main event is a decadent military parade in Red Square, right next to the Kremlin, which is designed to rally patriotism and support for the war.

The event – celebrating the defeat of Nazism in WW2 – is a key part of Russia’s national identity.

The arrival of so many heads of state, including Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is a major PR coup for Moscow, and a chance to show the West that its efforts to isolate Russia have failed.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will also attend despite warnings from Brussels – the only leader from the European Union taking part.

A three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine began on Wednesday.

But Ukraine has dismissed the truce as a farce and slammed today’s events a “parade of cynicism”.

It also warned that it cannot guarantee the safety of world leaders attending.

The day before the parade, Xi and Putin met in the Kremlin, where the two held talks for more than three hours.

After their meeting, Putin addressed the Chinese leader as his “dear friend”, while the two issued messages of defiance towards the West.

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The parade is underway Russia’s full military might is on display