Moscow, 9 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - A military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 began in Moscow on Friday in bright sunshine.

The Victory Day ceremony, featuring numerous international leaders, thousands of soldiers and heavy weaponry, is the fourth on Moscow's Red Square since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Security measures are even tighter than usual due to threats by Ukraine that it would not comply with a unilateral ceasefire called by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has once again justified the invasion of Ukraine in his speech.

While most of Europe marked the anniversary on Thursday, Russia holds its annual parade on May 9.

Celebrations in Russia's Far East have already taken place, including in the cities of Vladivostok and Novosibirsk.

Slovakia's Robert Fico is the only prime minister of an EU and NATO country in Moscow. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is also in Moscow.

Putin's most important guest this year is Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to the Kremlin, leaders from Brazil, Cuba and Laos as well as Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have joined Putin on the podium.

According to media reports, the approximately 10,000 parade participants include soldiers from numerous other countries as well as Russian participants in the war against Ukraine.

As is tradition, tanks, air defense systems and missile systems are on display. A flypast featuring Russian fighter jets is also scheduled.