Few other countries mark the end of World War II with the same degree of fanfare as Russia, for which the victory over Nazi Germany 80 years ago remains a source of immense pride and a defining moment of history.

The annual military parade took centre stage in Moscow, with President Putin alongside other leaders.

His wife and daughter wore Soviet Red Army uniforms and held Soviet Victory Flags to take part in the commemoration.

Vladimir Putin watched them roll past alongside Xi Jinping, the president of China, who has facilitated the supply of technology needed for Russia’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry.