BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Russia's Victory Day

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Tuesday, 9 May 2006, 14:55 GMT 15:55 UK

In pictures: Russia's Victory Day

Russian soldiers march on Victory Day in Moscow

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Russia has held its annual Victory Day military parade in Moscow's Red Square, commemorating defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

A veteran arrives at Red Square on Victory Day

A veteran arrives at Red Square on Victory Day

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Veterans of the conflict arrived early on the square. The day holds almost holy status in Russia, the country that suffered most at the hands of the Nazis.

President Vladimir Putin on Victory Day in Moscow

President Vladimir Putin on Victory Day in Moscow

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President Vladimir Putin called it "a day of great triumph of our people", but made no mention of Moscow's wartime allies.

Russian soldiers march on Victory Day in Moscow

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WWII-era symbolism, including Red Army uniforms and Soviet banners, abounds during the parade.

Russian soldiers march on Victory Day in St Petersburg.

Russian soldiers march on Victory Day in St Petersburg.

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In St Petersburg, too, the day bristles with pride in Russia's military past and present.

Veterans reminisce on Victory Day in Moscow

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In a park in Moscow, veteran sailors reminisced about the "Great Patriotic War", in which more than 20 million Soviets died.

Red Youth Avant-garde members stage a rally in Moscow

Red Youth Avant-garde members stage a rally in Moscow

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The leftist Red Youth Avant-garde (AKM) stages an anti-government rally in Moscow. Mr Putin warned that neo-Nazis and other nationalist extremists must not be tolerated.

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