Parade puts new Russian arms on show

Soldiers on parade in Moscow. Photo / Getty Images

Russia has staged its biggest military parade, marking 70 years of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Thousands of troops marched in Red Square in Moscow, and new armour was displayed for the first time. More than 20 heads of states are in Moscow, but many world leaders boycotted the event because of Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.

Around 16,000 troops took part in yesterday's parade showcasing cutting-edge weapons such as the next-generation Armata T-14 tank.

The Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million soldiers and civilians in World War II — more than any other country — and the Red Army's triumph remains an enormous source of national pride.

The parade also included 194 armoured vehicles, 143 aircraft and troops from Chinese, Indian and Serbian units.

As the event began President Vladimir Putin said international co-operation had been put at risk in recent years.

Russia denies claims by the West it is arming rebels in eastern Ukraine. More than 6000 people have been killed since fighting began in April 2014 in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

In his speech Putin paid tribute to the sacrifices of Soviet troops during World War II.

He also thanked "the people of Great Britain, France and the United States for their contribution to victory". But he added: "In recent decades the basic principles of international co-operation have been ignored ever more frequently. We see how a military-bloc mentality is gaining momentum."

Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Pranab Mukherjee of India and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon were among leaders at the event.