Putin equates victory over Nazis with war in Ukraine at Moscow parade

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday equated his war in Ukraine with the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, as Moscow marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a major military parade.

"Russia remains an insurmountable obstacle to Nazism, Russophobia and anti-Semitism and will fight the excesses perpetrated by the henchmen of these aggressive destructive ideas," Putin said in his speech.

Truth and justice are on Russia's side, said the Russian president, adding that the whole of Moscow supported the fighters in the "special military operation" - the Kremlin's term for its invasion of the neighbouring country.

Putin emphasized that Soviet soldiers played the decisive role in defeating the Nazi regime. However, he did concede that the opening of a second front in Europe accelerated the Allied victory.

He also highlighted China's contribution to the war separately, with Chinese President Xi Jinping among the international leaders in the audience.