Vladimir Putin has praised the Soviet role in defeating fascism, as Russia marked the anniversary of the second world war victory over Nazi Germany.
In a speech to soldiers and war veterans gathered on Moscow's Red Square for the annual Victory Day military parade, Putin said those who defeated fascism must never be betrayed.
The message had a poignant ring because Moscow has warned of the dangers posed by leaders it portrays as neo-fascists in Ukraine, and urged Europe to prevent the rise of the far-right.
"The iron will of the Soviet people, their fearlessness and stamina saved Europe from slavery. It was our country which chased the Nazis to their lair, achieved their full and final destruction, won at the cost of millions of victims and terrible hardships," the Russian president said.
"We will always guard this shining and unfading truth and will not allow the betrayal and obliteration of heroes, of all who, not caring about themselves, preserved peace on the planet."
Victory Day parades are also being held in Crimea and parts of east Ukraine held by pro-Moscow militia.
The Russian deputy prime minister, Dmitry Rogozin, was at a parade in the breakaway Trans-Dniester region of Moldova, where Russia has stationed troops since 1990. He told a crowd of 2,000 "the plague of fascism is thriving" and referred specifically to the deaths of mainly pro-Russians in Odessa, Ukraine, last week.
Further violence was reported on Friday in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. A Ukrainian news website, Insider, said eight pro-Russians had been killed.
Read more: Soviets saved Europe from fascism, says Vladimir Putin on war anniversary | World news | theguardian.com
In a speech to soldiers and war veterans gathered on Moscow's Red Square for the annual Victory Day military parade, Putin said those who defeated fascism must never be betrayed.
The message had a poignant ring because Moscow has warned of the dangers posed by leaders it portrays as neo-fascists in Ukraine, and urged Europe to prevent the rise of the far-right.
"The iron will of the Soviet people, their fearlessness and stamina saved Europe from slavery. It was our country which chased the Nazis to their lair, achieved their full and final destruction, won at the cost of millions of victims and terrible hardships," the Russian president said.
"We will always guard this shining and unfading truth and will not allow the betrayal and obliteration of heroes, of all who, not caring about themselves, preserved peace on the planet."
Victory Day parades are also being held in Crimea and parts of east Ukraine held by pro-Moscow militia.
The Russian deputy prime minister, Dmitry Rogozin, was at a parade in the breakaway Trans-Dniester region of Moldova, where Russia has stationed troops since 1990. He told a crowd of 2,000 "the plague of fascism is thriving" and referred specifically to the deaths of mainly pro-Russians in Odessa, Ukraine, last week.
Further violence was reported on Friday in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. A Ukrainian news website, Insider, said eight pro-Russians had been killed.
Read more: Soviets saved Europe from fascism, says Vladimir Putin on war anniversary | World news | theguardian.com
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