The parade marks the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in the war, and eventually pushed Nazi forces back to Berlin. Later, the red Soviet Victory Banner was raised over the Reichstag, or German parliament, in 1945.

The German authorities have banned Russian flags, military uniforms, placards featuring the letters V or Z, and other symbols and signs that could be seen as glorifying Russia's war against Ukraine during events in Berlin on 9 May [Victory Day,

Russia won't let anyone threaten it, Putin says in his Victory Day speech in Moscow ::May 9, 2024::Moscow, Russia::Vladimir Putin, Russia's President"Russia will do everything to prevent a global conflict.

Even though few World War II veterans are still alive 79 years after Berlin fell to the Red Army, the victory over Nazi Germany remains the most important symbol of the country's prowess.

As Russia celebrated the 79th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, President Vladimir Putin used the occasion to assert the country’s military strength amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Russia on Thursday wrapped itself in patriotic pageantry for Victory Day, as President Vladimir Putin celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II by hailing his forces fighting in Ukraine and blasting the West for fueling conflicts around the world.

Russia wrapped itself in patriotic pageantry on Thursday for Victory Day, a celebration of its defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II that President Vladimir Putin has turned into a pillar of his nearly quarter-century in power and a justification for his move into Ukraine.