Victory Day is the annual commemoration of Nazi Germany's defeat during World War II. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day celebrations. Putin typically uses the day to show off Russia's military power and invites foreign leaders to a parade in Red Square in Moscow.

Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, is Russia’s most important secular holiday, reflecting its wartime sacrifice. But it's also used by the Kremlin to bolster patriotism and regain the superpower prestige it lost when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

Putin’s ‘ceasefire’ begins after world leaders arrive in Moscow for Victory Day - Ukraine says Russia has already violated its own ceasefire with strikes on Sumy