Amid news of bomb-shelter being shelled in Ukraine, Russia marks Victory Day

As Ukrainians attempt to gather the remains of their loved ones, Russia marked its 77th Victory Day with a parade in Moscow

Victory Day celebrates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the parade and watched as impeccably straight columns of soldiers marched through Red Square as they do every year on Victory Day.

Tanks, armoured personnel carriers and transports carrying huge intercontinental ballistic missiles rattled across the paving stones.

But this year’s observance of Russia’s most important patriotic holiday carries exceptional weight.

Also watch: 60 feared dead in Ukrainian school bombing; world leaders, celebrities visit ahead of Victory Day

In his Victory Day speech, Putin drew parallels between the Red Army’s fighting against Nazi troops and the Russian forces’ action in Ukraine.

He said that the campaign in Ukraine was a timely and necessary move to ward off a potential aggression.