Russian President Vladimir Putin led an enormous army parade by means of the streets of Moscow on Monday in Russia's annual celebration of "Victory Day," marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

The Could 9 celebration and vacation falls a day after Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) is widely known in Western Europe.

Hundreds of army items and personnel paraded by means of Crimson Sq. on Monday.

Talking on the parade, Putin blamed the West for the battle in Ukraine, which started after Russia invaded its neighbor on February 24. He mentioned that the West was "making ready for the invasion of our land, together with Crimea," and that the Ukraine battle which he calls a "particular army operation," was wanted and the precise determination.

"NATO is actively pursuing our territory. That's completely unacceptable to us. We're speaking about neo-Nazis in Ukraine that the U.S. and its companions are working with," Putin mentioned.

"Ukraine is receiving essentially the most fashionable weaponry from NATO. The choice for this particular army operation was pressured and was the one appropriate determination," he added.

"The U.S. spoke after the autumn of the Soviet Union about exceptionalism, however we're a distinct nation with a distinct character. We've respect for all individuals and cultures."

Enormous convoys of tanks and armored army autos rolled round Moscow, however army flyovers had been canceled due to opposed climate, in line with the Kremlin.

The image beneath exhibits Putin and Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, leaving Crimson Sq. after the Victory Day army parade.

Vladimir Putin at Victory Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu go away Crimson Sq. after the Victory Day army parade in central Moscow on Could 9, 2022. Russia is celebrating the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany throughout World Battle II. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/Getty/AFP

This one exhibits Russian service personnel in army autos in the course of the parade in Crimson Sq..

Russian tanks Victory Day
Russian army autos drive by means of Crimson Sq. in the course of the Victory Day army parade in central Moscow on Could 9, 2022. This yr's celebration was extra muted than in earlier years, clearly overshadowed by the battle in Ukraine. Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty

The beneath picture exhibits Russian servicewomen marching.

Women at Victory Day Moscow
Russian servicewomen march in the course of the Victory Day army parade in Moscow on Monday, Could 9, 2022.Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

Beneath, Russian self-propelled artillery autos go away Crimson Sq..

Tanks on Victory Day
Russian self-propelled artillery autos participate within the Victory Day army parade in Moscow on Monday, Could 9, 2022. The parade is a part of celebrations marking the 77th anniversary of the tip of World Battle II. Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photograph

Beneath, a Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launcher drives by means of Crimson Sq..

Ballistic missile Russia
A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launcher drives by means of Crimson Sq. in central Moscow on Could 9, 2022. Alexander Nemenov/Getty

Russian servicemen parade by means of Crimson Sq., beneath.

Victory Day
Russian servicemen march in the course of the parade.Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photograph

Within the image beneath, veterans and company rejoice the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.

Veterans celebrate Victory Day in Russia
Veterans and company rejoice the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany throughout World Battle II. GettyKirill Kudryavtsev

Members of a army band attend the Victory Day army parade in Crimson Sq., beneath.

Moscow Victory Day
Members of a army band attend the Victory Day army parade in Crimson Sq. in central Moscow on Could 9, 2022. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEVAFP through Getty Photographs

A safety service officer is pictured with a sniper rifle on Monday.

Sniper on Victory Day
A safety service officer goals his sniper rifle to safe the world in the course of the Victory Day army parade in Moscow on Monday, Could 9, 2022.Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photograph

Within the picture beneath, on the left, Vladimir Putin leaves Crimson Sq. after the parade. On the precise, Russian Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu salutes as he's pushed by means of Crimson Sq..

Putin and Shoigu
Russian Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu, proper, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, on the Victory Day Parade in central Moscow on Could 9 2022.Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV//Getty

This yr's celebration was extra muted than in earlier years, clearly overshadowed by the battle in Ukraine. There was hypothesis that Putin was going to assert some type of victory in Ukraine, and some recommended he might have used Victory Day to formally declare battle in opposition to its neighbor. To date, Putin has known as Russia's invasion "a particular army operation."