Image source, Reuters

President Putin warned that global tensions were growing again, endangering global progress and the peaceful coexistence of nations.

"In recent decades the basic principles of international co-operation have been ignored ever more frequently. The principles that mankind achieved through suffering after the global ordeals of the war. We have seen attempts to create a unipolar world. We see how a military bloc mentality is gaining momentum. All this is undermining the stability of global development."

Dr Elena Mucci in Hastings, UK emails: Watching the parade on Channel 1 and cannot hold tears back. I am Russian, always will be, this is our tradition, how dare you to decry our traditions! This is not show off, this is how we celebrate and remember the 27 million dead. Shame on you BBC!

The BBC's Pavel Aksenov writes:

The anthem played on Red Square is the third version of the Russian national anthem. The music was written by Alexander Alexandrov in 1939 - initially it was a hymn of the Bolshevik party. In 1944 Stalin asked the composer to turn it into the new anthem.

It was used as the official Soviet hymn until 1990, when it was changed to Mikhail Glinka's Patriotic Song. In 2000 Vladimir Putin brought back the Soviet anthem. Its lyrics are different, but they were written by the author of the first variant - Sergei Mikhalkov. He changed the whole sense and mood of this hymn - took away the name of Communist leader Lenin and replaced it with "God".

Bridget Kendall
Diplomatic correspondent

Here's the key to the diplomatic side-stepping by Western nations here - just explained to me by one diplomat. They don't want to offend Russia and want to be seen to be paying their respects to an important WW2 ally.

But they're nervous in case this Red Square military parade and Mr Putin's speech turns out to be heavily political. That's why those few top-level EU dignitaries who are in Moscow are mostly skipping the parade, but will be present at the wreath-laying and family photo - and why Chancellor Merkel isn't coming until tomorrow.

President Vladimir Putin is addressing the throng in Red Square. He pays tribute to the sacrifices of Soviet troops in WW2. He praises their courage, saying it will always be the "patriotic pinnacle" of Russian history.

But he warns that the foundations of international co-operation have been put at risk in recent years.

Image source, Reuters

Leaders of former Soviet states are attending, like Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev. But many Western leaders who were invited are staying away, amid tensions over Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

Bridget Kendall
Diplomatic correspondent

Invited guests are in position, many of them laden with medals, massive posters are hung from buildings, red stars gleaming on the Kremlin. It takes me right back to the massive military parades of the Soviet era, except the colours this year aren't red, they're sky blue and the portraits are of WW2 heroes - not communist leaders.

Bridget Kendall
Diplomatic correspondent

Perfect weather for the start of the parade, sunny but not too hot for all the soldiers in their heavy dress uniforms.

Being herded onto Red Square in the press pack was like arriving on a Hollywood film set - selected soldiers boxed into position, marching on the spot, from dozens of different regiments, like different dances all in rehearsal simultaneously. All is choreographed so nothing is left to chance.

Welcome to our live coverage of Russia's vast military parade for Victory Day. It is 70 years since Soviet and Western forces defeated Nazi Germany in World War Two. Stay with us for the latest updates - reports from our correspondents on the ground and expert analysis. You can contact us via email, text or twitter. We'll publish what we can.

Image source, Reuters