Russian troops march during the Victory Day military parade to celebrate 74 years since the victory in WWII in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, May 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
MOSCOW 鈥� Russian President Vladimir Putin told the annual military Victory Day parade in Red Square on Thursday that the country will continue to strengthen its armed forces.
The parade marked the 74th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. It included about 13,000 servicemen and 130 pieces of military equipment, ranging from a T-34 tank 鈥� renowned for its effectiveness in World War II 鈥� to lumbering Yars ICBM launch units.
Putin said in his speech that 鈥渨e have done and will do everything necessary to ensure the high combat capability of our armed forces.鈥�
He added: 鈥淎t the same time, Russia is open for cooperation with all who are ready to resist terrorism, neo-Nazism and extremism.鈥�
Dozens of other cities also held parades for Russia鈥檚 most significant secular holiday.
The support combat vehicles 鈥淭erminator鈥� move along Red Square during the Victory Day military parade to celebrate 74 years since the victory in WWII in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, May 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
In Ukraine, which also observes the holiday, outgoing President Petro Poroshenko struck out at Russia.
鈥淔or five years, the descendants of the glorious victors over Nazism have defended with arms the freedom of the Ukrainian people and their civilization choice from Russian aggression,鈥� Poroshenko said in a statement.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and backs separatist rebels who have been fighting Ukrainian forces in the country鈥檚 east for the past five years. /kga