Russia marks today - with a usual grand military parade - the 'Victory Day', one of the country's most important holidays that commemorates the day when Nazi Germany surrendered to Soviet forces in World War II. In the middle of Red Square, in the center of Moscow, the military parade, which this year marks the 79th anniversary of the Nazi defeat, is a demonstration of the Russian Federation's military arsenal and involves more than 9,000 people and 70 units of military equipment, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. In addition to the usual regiments and companies from the various branches of the Russian armed forces, the event will be attended by soldiers who participated in the fighting in Ukraine, a conflict that has already entered its third year. "Russia is going through a critical moment", said Vladimir Putin, in the speech he gave, days after taking over the country's leadership, for his 5th term, then stating that "the destiny of our country depends on each one of us". "Today, on Victory Day, we understand and honor this generation of winners more and more. Their ability to bravely fight against difficulties and always be confident in themselves and in their country", he continued, also emphasizing that it is necessary to "love the homeland in a total way".

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Cuba, among other officials from other allied countries, are reportedly on the guest list. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that "hostile countries" were not invited to the parade, NBC reports.

The event takes place under heavy security measures, which will be reinforced this year due to the dozens of Ukrainian 'drone' attacks that have hit Russian territory in recent months and the terrorist attack on a well-known concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow that killed 144 people and injured several hundred last March.

One of the initiatives canceled this year were the so-called 'Immortal Regiment' marches, in which thousands of Russians parade through the country with portraits of their relatives who fought in World War II (1939-1945).

[News updated at 08:29]

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