Russian missiles shot down over Kyiv as Putin delivers angry Victory Day speech

Russian cruise missiles exploded in the air over Kyiv as Vladimir Putin marked the anniversary of victory over the Nazis with another attack on Ukraine.

- Pjotr Sauer

Speaking at a noticeably scaledback military parade in Moscow's Red Square to celebrate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, the Russian president said the "survival of the Russian people" depended on the war in Ukraine, as he used his speech to defend his invasion of the country.

"Today, civilisation is again at a decisive turning point. A real war has been unleashed against us again," Putin said as he gave an angry speech in which he drew false parallels between today's fight with Ukraine's "criminal regime" and the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

"We are proud of the participants of the special military operation. The future of our people depends on you," Putin said, standing on the Red Square podium.

He also blamed the west for "destroying traditional values" and propagandising a "system of robbery and violence", saying: "The goal of our enemies, and there is nothing new here, is to achieve the disintegration and destruction of our country."

The largely familiar tone framed the war in Ukraine as a defensive battle by Russia. "Here is to our victory!" he said before leaving the podium.

Victory Day, when Russians celebrate the end of the "great patriotic war", has emerged as the centrepiece of Putin's vision of Russian identity over his 23 years in charge.

Security concerns cast a shadow this year after two drones attacked the Kremlin last week. More than 20 cities across the country had scrapped their parades, including those several thousands of miles from the frontlines.