Vladimir Putin tells a huge military parade in Moscow's Red Square that Russian troops in eastern Ukraine are "defending the motherland"
He says the invasion of Ukraine - what he called a "special military operation" - was necessary and had been provoked by the West.
The Russian president was leading anniversary celebrations in Moscow of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
Victory Day in Russia - an annual commemoration - is the country's most important holiday and a source of national pride, marked by a huge parade of soldiers and military hardware through Red Square.
But the backdrop of this year's spectacle of tanks, planes, rockets and missiles is different.
Russian soldiers are fighting in Ukraine - one of the deadliest conflicts in Europe since the Second World War, which Mr Putin has described as a "special military operation".
Intense attacks from Russian forces continue across the war-ravaged country, with ordinary Russians being told they are once again fighting against "Nazism".
Today's celebrations kick-started with Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu being driven around Red Square, saluting troops.
Then-President Putin took centre stage and told his armed forces they were fighting for their country now.
"You are fighting for our people in Donbas, for the security of our motherland," he said.
However, he did not take the opportunity to officially declare war or further mobilise the Russian military.
Latest Stories
-
Former Deputy AG accuses Godfred Dame of unethical legal behaviour
2 mins -
John Kumah goes home on May 18
6 mins -
Tema General Hospital: If a baby died, it wasn’t because of ‘dumsor’ – GHS Accra Director
34 mins -
Afenyo-Markin fetes cast and crew of ‘the gods are not to blame’
38 mins -
‘Dumsor’ to hit parts of Accra and Tema today
51 mins -
Energy transition threatens survival of GNPC – PIAC warns
1 hour -
ECG fails to comply with PURC directive to publish ‘Dumsor’ timetable
1 hour -
Tullow, partners affirm commitment to support coastal communities
2 hours -
Creative Addictions: Documentary on drug use among celebrities premieres on Joy News, Joy FM, Joy Prime
2 hours -
‘There is something mysteriously amiss somewhere’ – Gabby Otchere-Darko on ‘dumsor’
2 hours -
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: What we know about the accusations against him
2 hours -
Education giant Excel-Plus Education set to host 2024 Study Abroad Fair at Accra City Hotel
3 hours -
Newmont unites communities through sports as it hosts intercommunity football gala in Akyem
3 hours -
Zoomlion Ghana Limited donates to support 8-year-old leukaemia patient
3 hours -
Telecel Ghana and Huawei sign new framework contract to provide better network experience
3 hours