Russia will do everything in its power to avoid a "global collision", however, it will not accept any threats to the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the Victory Day military parade in Moscow celebrating the 79th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. 

Putin also said that the Russian military is "always on alert" and ready to defend its country's sovereignty. 

"The West would like to forget the lessons of World War II, but we remember that the fate of humanity was decided in grandiose battles near Moscow and Leningrad," alongside other cities, he declared.

Emphasizing that the fate of Russia is in the hands of every Russian, he explained that the country is "experiencing a difficult milestone period" in its history. 

"We celebrate this Victory Day in the conditions of the special military operation – all its participants, those who are on the front lines – they are our heroes. We bow to their perseverance and sacrifice. All of Russia is with you." 

A minute of silence 

The Russian president took a minute of silence to commemorate the lives of all Russians who were killed while battling Nazism and in the conflict with Ukraine. 

"May 9 is always a very emotional, poignant day… Victory Day unites all generations. We are moving forward based on our centuries-old traditions and are confident that together we will ensure a free, safe future for Russia," he said.

Putin's speech concluded traditionally with the Russian national anthem and cannon blasts. 

In more than 300 Russian cities, military parades and other events were organized to celebrate Victory Day. 

For more than a decade now, the Immortal Regiment, a massive civilian march where people hold the portraits of those killed by Nazis during the war, has been a part of the celebration, however, this year the ceremony was canceled due to security concerns.

Putin inaugurated for fifth presidential term amid rift with West

Vladimir Putin officially began his fifth term as president of Russia after being inaugurated in Moscow on May 7, in a ceremony that took place at the Grand Kremlin Palace.

During the ceremony, Putin took an oath to serve the nation and its people, placing one hand on a special copy of the constitution used specifically for inaugurations. The document used this time was updated to include amendments adopted in 2020 and to reflect the incorporation of four former Ukrainian regions that voted in referendums in 2022 to join Russia.

Members of both chambers of the national parliament and justices from the Constitutional Court were present. Chief Justice Valery Zorkin confirmed Putin's fifth six-year presidency after he took the oath. Putin was inaugurated previously in 2000, 2004, 2012, and 2018.

This year is significant because several Western nations and the EU chose to boycott the ceremony. These governments asserted that this year's Russian presidential election, where Putin secured an unprecedented 87.28% of the vote, was not conducted fairly or freely.

The inauguration protocol was first introduced in 1996 during Boris Yeltsin's second term.