“Today on Victory Day we are conscious of that even more acutely,” he added before making a threat about nuclear weapons.

“Our strategic forces are always combat ready,” he said, referring to Russia’s nuclear capabilities.

The Kremlin is planning to hold weapons tests simulating the deployment of tactical, short-range nuclear weapons in southern Russia and Putin addressed concerns over these tests in comments to state broadcasters after the Victory Day parade.

“There is nothing unusual here, this is planned work,” Putin said. “It is training.”

The Russian president ended his Victory Day speech with the clarion call, “For Russia! For victory! Hurrah”, prompting cheers from thousands of soldiers.