The defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II is a deeply revered symbol of Russian national identity, and Putin has used the holiday to justify his military actions in Ukraine.

Few veterans of the war are still alive, but the victory remains a key element of Russian pride and power.

Putin, who began his fifth term in office two days prior, led the celebrations and criticized the West for fueling conflicts around the world.

On May 9, in freezing conditions in Red Square, Russian President Putin celebrated Victory Day.

He emphasized the unity of all generations and Russia's reliance on centuries-old traditions for a secure future.

Military parades showcased both old and new hardware, and a flyby of warplanes displayed the Russian flag.

Putin praised troops in Ukraine as heroes and accused the West of fueling conflicts and containing independent countries.

Tensions between Russia and the US over Ukraine have reached Cold War levels, prompting Russian President Putin to remind the world of Russia's nuclear capabilities.

Putin stated that Russia will work to prevent global conflict but will not back down from threats.

He showcased nuclear-capable Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles in Red Square to reinforce his message.

The Soviet Union suffered significant losses during World War II, with an estimated 27 million deaths, making the war a deeply scarring experience for Russian families.

The Soviet Union was invaded by Nazi troops in June 1941, and the war ended in Europe on May 8, 1945, with the raising of the hammer and sickle flag over Berlin.

Putin marked Victory Day, commemorating Russia's triumph over Nazi Germany, with a grand military parade in Moscow.

Thousands of troops, including some who fought in Ukraine, participated.

Notable absences were the US and UK ambassadors, but other former Soviet leaders and allies attended.

Putin emphasized Russia's resilience, wearing the St. George's ribbon and showcasing military hardware.

The parade honored the sacrifices made during World War II in cities like Stalingrad, Kursk, and Leningrad.

In his Victory Day speech, Putin criticized the West for downplaying the Soviet role in defeating Nazi Germany, accusing them of revanchism, hypocrisy, and lies.

Putin found the day emotional and poignant, as every family honors their war heroes and remembers their sacrifices.

Putin often shares personal stories, including one about his father, who returned from the military hospital during the war to find workers trying to take away his wife, who had been declared dead of starvation.

Despite this, Putin's father believed she was still alive and had only lost consciousness.

Vladimir Putin lost his first child, Viktor, during Leningrad's 872-day siege when he was just 3 years old.

Putin honored his father, a war veteran, by carrying a photo of him in Victory Day marches.

These demonstrations were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic and again due to security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In an attempt to uphold the Soviet legacy and suppress any opposition to it, Russia has enacted laws that criminalize the "rehabilitation of Nazism," including the desecration of memorials and challenging Kremlin narratives of World War II history.

Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February.

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Putin began a military invasion of Ukraine, justifying it as necessary for "denazification." Putin falsely accused the Ukrainian government, led by Jewish President Volodymyr Zelensky, of being neo-Nazis.

He also referenced Ukraine's historical ties to nationalist leaders who cooperated with the Nazis during World War II as evidence of Kyiv's supposed Nazi sympathies.

Putin's focus on World War II is seen by many as an attempt to revive the USSR's power and prestige, and a reliance on Soviet practices.

The Russian leadership's identification with the USSR as the victor of Nazism and the lack of alternative legitimacy has led them to declare "denazification" as the goal of the war, according to Nikolay Epplee in a commentary for Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.

He adds that the Russian leadership is limited by the Soviet past and has become trapped in this worldview.