Russia flexes muscle as pressure grows on Ukraine borders

Russia today flexed its muscles with a grandiose display of military might as the crisis in Ukraine approached a climax.

Thousands of troops, armoured vehicles, warplanes and missile carriers were paraded at Moscow’s Red Square.

The annual Victory Day event was larger and longer than in previous years and comes as the West says Russian troops continue to stalk Ukraine’s borders.

There were also reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin may visit Crimea which he annexed from Ukraine last month.

It comes 24 hours after Russia tested three ballistic missiles and a series of cruise missiles.

In Ukraine itself pro-Russian separatists are pushing ahead with a referendum that may lead to eastern regions splitting from the country.

Mr Putin made no reference to the crisis in neighbouring Ukraine, as he launched the parade to celebrate triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945.

However, some of the armoured vehicles were seen to be flying the flag of annexed Crimea.

Mr Putin told veterans on Red Square: “We shall never let you down. We shall take good care of Russia, of its glorious history, we shall place service to Fatherland above everything else.

“This is the way it has always been in our country. I am sure this is how it will be in future.”

Victory Day is the country’s most important secular holiday and a key element of Russian national identity, honouring the millions who died in World War Two.

In an enlarged military display around 11,000 troops marched across Red Square to patriotic songs.

Around 150 military vehicles, including tanks, armoured personnel carriers and missile carriers, along with some 70 combat aircraft took part in the show.

Reports that Mr Putin would visit Crimea, controversially seized by Russia after a referendum there earlier this year, were unconfirmed.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it would be a “pity” if Mr Putin were to “use” the commemorations to visit Crimea.

Only yesterday Russia tested three multi-stage missiles that would be capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

One Topol M was launched from the Plesetsk spaceport in north Russia, a Russian Defence Ministry spokesman said.