Russia marked the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two with a major military parade that went off without any reports of Ukrainian attacks despite three years of devastating war.

The military parade marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany was intended to impress allies and tap into Russia’s deep sense of national pride.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump exchanged congratulations on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on Friday. The two heads of state sent congratulations "on the occasion of our joint holiday" through their assistants,