Russian President Vladimir Putin greets veterans prior to the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in downtown Moscow on May 9, 2019 (Photo: AFP)

In his congratulatory messages, Putin called on people around the world to honour the heroes who courageously fought against the invaders on the battlefield and their dedicated work behind the lines. He expressed gratitude to all veterans of the Great Patriotic War and home front workers, wishing them good health, peace and prosperity.

People around the world celebrated the 74^th anniversary of Victory Day. This is a time to remember the most devastating war in human history and those who died for world peace. The celebration also reminds people of the brutality of Nazism and the need to guard against its resurgence. A rehearsal for the Victory Day parade was held this week in Moscow, involving thousands of soldiers, advanced military weaponry, and aircraft.

On Wednesday, Vietnamese people in Saint Petersburg laid wreaths to pay tribute to soldiers and civilians who perished in the Great Patriotic War and World War II. On May 9, 1945, Nazi Germany offered its unconditional surrender to the Soviet Union’s Red Army, which then defeated the Imperial Japanese troops, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. With the sacrifice of 27 million Soviet Union soldiers and civilians, the victory by the Red Army was among the most costly in the 20^th century.