Russia parades military in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow
Russia has begun its 69th Victory Day celebrations with a parade in Moscow's Red Square.
The military is parading more hardware than usual and the display, which marks the Soviet victory in World War Two, will go on for longer.
A parade is also due to be held on Friday in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg says there has been a "wave of patriotism" since Russia's annexation of Crimea.