Speaking from Moscow’s Red Square, Vladimir Putin begins by saying Russia’s duty is to defend the dignity of the the soldiers of the Russian army.
The Kremlin leader says Russian society is “supporting the participants of the special military operation”.
He also says “truth and justice are on our side”.
Putin then speaks about the Second World War and says “almost 80% of the population was involved in the war” and defeated the Nazis.
“I congratulate you on the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War,” he adds.
“Today, we are all united by a feeling of joy and sorrow, pride and gratitude, admiration for the generation that crushed Nazism, and at the cost of millions of lives won freedom and peace for all of humanity.”