Putin talks about his father as he takes part in the 'Immortal Regiment' parade

“That was my father. How could he march on the square in 1945? No. He limped all his life and died with shrapnel in his leg. Could these people march on Red Square in the Victory Parade? No. But it was they, ordinary soldiers, who won the victory for the Fatherland. And for that victory, the price they paid was too high,” the head of state said.

He talked about the emotions he experienced when he first walked across Red Square with his father's portrait.

Putin and his father's portrait marched in Red Square.

“Do you know what I thought? My father couldn’t do it, but at least I’ll take his portrait with me, he deserves it. I think thousands, hundreds of thousands of people, when they walk with portraits of their relatives who fought in the war, probably have the same thoughts,” Putin said.

The Immortal Regiment parade is traditionally held in Russia and many other countries on Victory Day. It is a procession in which people carry photos of their relatives who participated in the Great Patriotic War. This year, the President of the Russian Federation also took part in the march on Red Square. This is the fifth time that the head of state has participated in the parade.