Vladimir Putin stages massive Victory Day parade featuring huge nukes, military vehicles and 10,000 troops that can ‘repel any potential aggression’
The annual Red Square march and fly-past marks the defeat of Hitler and the Nazis in World War Two
VLADIMIR Putin today staged a monster military parade showcasing Russia's huge firepower and hailing as heroes his troops who have seen service in Syria.
And in front of thousands of adoring soldiers, the Russian president declared his armed forces were "ready to repel any potential aggression".
The annual Red Square march and fly-past marks the defeat of Hitler in World War Two.
But the strongman was using it today to showcase Russia's modern military might, with one senior military commander saying it would make foreign foes "salivate".
A debut Victory Day march was scheduled for schoolchildren in Russia's new "Yunarmia", a 30,000-strong militarised patriotic movement nicknamed the Putin Youth Army as established by the Defence Ministry.
The Russian president was personally taking the salute at the parade involving 10,001 troops, 114 units of military equipment and 72 aircraft.
It began at 10am in Moscow - 8am London time - with other commemorations held in cities across Russia's 11 time zones.
On display in Moscow was the newly developed Tor-M2DT short-range anti-aircraft missile system and the Pantsir-SA surface-to-air missile system, both designed to operate in the Arctic.
The air display was due to include a first outing at the Victory Day event for the Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets, which have seen combat action recently in Syria, but this was cancelled due to poor weather.
The famous Russian Knights acrobatic team were due to fly the warplanes over Red Square. On display too were the T-72B3M variant of the T-72 main battle tank.
Their appearance at the march comes just weeks after Russian media sensationally claimed Putin's new "electronic bomb" could disable the US Navy.
Russian air force Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said: "What makes this year so special is that virtually each and every pilot who will take part in the 9 May flyby in Moscow has fought in Syria, is highly decorated, and will showcase skills that will make many countries salivate."
He stressed that the "most advanced types of aircraft" were being demonstrated.
The aim was to put on display "our very best achievements, all the good things we have," he said.
This year marks the 72nd anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The sombre occasion is a show of respect to the 27 million Soviet soldiers and civilians who died during the defeat of the Nazis.
Many Russians were today honouring the dead in their own families by taking part in marches to the Immortal Regiment, holding pictures of relatives who perished in the war.
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