Full text of the Russian President's speech at the Victory Day Parade

Below is the full text of the speech:

Dear citizens of Russia! Dear veterans!

Dear comrades soldiers and sailors, sergeants and foremen, warrant officers and warrant officers!

Dear comrade officers, generals and admirals!

Dear commanders and soldiers on the front lines - heroes of the special military campaign!

Congratulations to everyone on Victory Day! Happy our most important and sacred holiday!

On this holiday, we together pay our respects to our ancestors, the previous generations who fought and sacrificed to protect our homeland and country, crushed Nazism, and liberated the peoples of Europe.

Today, we are seeing how the truth about World War II has been distorted. That is to say, some people have become accustomed to building and maintaining their traditional colonial policies based on hypocrisy and lies. They try to destroy memorials to the fallen soldiers who fought against Nazism, instead glorifying traitors and Nazi accomplices; they even erase the memory of the heroism and noble sacrifice of the liberators.

Revanchism or historical ridicule is just a sophistry of the Nazis, which to this day is part of the general policy of the Western elites, aimed at provoking various conflicts, ethnic and religious hostilities in different parts of the world, and at the same time restraining the independent, sovereign centers of development.

We reject arbitrary declarations by any alliances, because we understand what consequences such ambitions can lead to. Russia will do everything possible to prevent a global conflict, but at the same time we will not allow anyone to threaten us. Russia's strategic forces are always on full combat alert.

In the West, they want to forget the lessons of World War II, but let us remember that the fate of mankind was decided in fierce battles near Moscow and Leningrad, Rzhev, Stalingrad, Kursk and Kharkov, near Minsk, Smolensk and Kiev, or in bloody battles from Murmansk to the Caucasus and Crimea.

During the first three difficult and difficult years of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Union and all the republics of the former Soviet Union fought Nazi Germany “one on one”. At the same time, I would like to emphasize: Russia has never underestimated the importance of the second front and the help of its allies. We are grateful and always pay tribute to the courage of all the soldiers of the anti-Hitler coalition, members of the Resistance, intelligence officers, and the courage of the Chinese people who fought for the independence of their nation against the Japanese fascist invasion.

And we will always remember, never, never forget our common struggle and our brave tradition of alliance!.

Dear friends and comrades!

Russia is currently going through a difficult transition period. The fate of the Motherland, the future of the country depends on each of us.

Today, on Victory Day, we realize this even more deeply and clearly when looking at a victorious generation - with courage, nobility, knowing how to cherish friendship, steadfastly overcoming all adversities, always believing in themselves, loving the Fatherland and homeland sincerely and passionately.

We are celebrating Victory Day against the backdrop of the ongoing special military operation. All those who took part in the operation – those who were on the front lines – are our heroes. We bow to their perseverance and selfless sacrifice. All of Russia is with you!

Our veterans believe in today's generation of soldiers. Your fighting ideals and achievements have been and are closely linked to the glorious achievements of generations of national heroes.

Today let us bow our heads and remember the losses of the Great Patriotic War, to remember our sons, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, brothers, sisters, and friends.

We bow our heads to the sacrifices of veterans of the Great Patriotic War; we express our sympathy and condolences to the civilians who lost their lives to the barbaric shelling and terrorist attacks of neo-Nazis.

And in memory of our comrades who fell in the fight against neo-fascism, in the just fight for Russia.

[A minute of silence...]

Dear veterans, comrades, and friends!

May 9th is always an emotional and meaningful day. Each family honors their heroes, looks at photos, sees familiar faces, remembers their loved ones, and retells stories of how they fought.

We are gathered here on Victory Day to unite all generations. We are moving forward together, building on centuries-old traditions. And I am confident that together we will ensure a free, united and secure future for all peoples across Russia!

Glory to the brave armed forces! Glory to Russia! Glory to Victory! Hurray!