World hosts Putin's speech on Victory Day

Troops, tanks, rockets are expected to appear today in Moscow Red Square and other cities in the country.

Russian Vice President Vladimir Putin, this day has turned into a show of Russian military power, as well as in the event of remembering World War II sacrifices.

Some 27 million Soviet citizens have been killed in what the Russians call the Patriotic Great War.

The Kremlin said the military parade will take place today in 28 cities in Russia, where 65,000 people, 2,400 military equipment and more than 400 aircraft will participate.

This year, however, the event comes under the shadow of war in Ukraine. Russia has begun its neighbour's conquest on 24 February, after Ukraine has openly demonstrated its NATO membership ambitions.

Thousands of people have been killed in the war, while millions more have been displaced from their homes.

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There are speculation that Putin can use today's opportunity to make a big announcement about the invasion.

Western officials have said he could declare full-scale war in Ukraine, but the Kremlin has denied it.

On the eve of this day, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said Russia “has forgotten everything that has been important to World War II winners”.

He said the whole free world can see Ukraine is “the path of good in this fight” and added that Russia “will be lost because evil always loses”.

Western leaders also used Victory Day to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who visited Ukraine, said Putin “is going against values, for which so many people have fought and killed”.

The leaders of the group of more industrialized countries, known as the G7, said Putin's actions brought “urp to Russia and the historic sacrifices of its people”. / REL