It is also widely seen as backing pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Moscow has stepped up military activity abroad, intervening on behalf of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria's civil war. Russia has seen its diplomats expelled from a clutch of European countries over espionage scandals, as the United States and the European Union levied new sanctions on Moscow over the treatment of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and allegations of hacking and cyber attacks. The commemorations of the 76th anniversary of the 1945 victory come as tensions with the West have reached near Cold War times in recent weeks. Victory Day parades, which only became an annual event after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, also took place Sunday in dozens of cities across the nation.ĭuring Putin's two decades in power, the public holiday has taken on increasing importance in projecting Russia's renewed military might.Ī survey this week by state-run pollster VTsIOM showing that 69 percent of Russians view it as the most important holiday on the calendar.Ī third of respondents told VTsIOM they would take part in the celebrations, while a fifth said they would watch on television. The state-run RIA Novosti agency reported that more than 12,000 military personnel would take part in Sunday's parade in the Russian capital, as well as some 190 pieces of military equipment and 76 fighter jets and helicopters. The Russian leader also denounced what he called a creeping return of ideologies of the time, when "slogans of racial and national superiority, of anti-semitism and Russophobia, became ever more cynical". At the same time, we will firmly defend our national interests to ensure the safety of our people," Putin said. "Russia consistently defends international law. "The Soviet people kept their sacred oath, defended the homeland and freed the countries of Europe from the black plague," Putin told the gathered crowd. His speech to thousands of soldiers and veterans on Red Square came at the start of an annual parade that sees hundred of pieces of military hardware roll through the streets of Moscow. President Vladimir Putin on Sunday vowed that Russia will "firmly" defend national interests and denounced the return of "Russophobia", as the country marked the 76th anniversary of victory in World War II. Kremlin says it is too early to talk about Putin-Biden summit in tangible terms