Military parade in Moscow under way on 80th anniversary of WWII end

A military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 began in Moscow on Friday in bright sunshine.

The Victory Day ceremony, featuring numerous international leaders, thousands of soldiers and heavy weaponry, is the fourth on Moscow's Red Square since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Security measures are even tighter than usual due to threats by Ukraine that it would not comply with a unilateral ceasefire called by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While most of Europe marked the anniversary on Thursday, Russia holds its annual parade on May 9.

Celebrations in Russia's Far East have already taken place, including in the cities of Vladivostok and Novosibirsk.