Putin watches reduced Moscow army parade

Russian President Vlimir Putin on Saturday marked Victory Day, anniversary of defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, in a ceremony shorn of its usual military pare and pomp by coronavirus pandemic.

Putin reviewed Presidential Regiment after he laid flowers at Tomb of Unkwn Soldier just outside Kremlin walls, and gave a short dress promising furr development of Russia's armed forces.

Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday, and major commemorations were planned this year because it's 75th anniversary since end of WWII in Europe.

But key events such as Red Square military pare and a mass procession called Immortal Regiment were postponed as part of measures to stifle spre of virus.

ceremonies were first public appearance in about a month for Putin, who has worked remotely as virus took hold.

In his speech, he did t mention virus — Russia has nearly 200,000 confirmed cases — or how its spre h blocked commemorations that were to be a prestige project for him.

dressing people participating in Immortal Regiment procession online, Putin promised that full commemorations would still take place.

"Wher we go in one line with you or all stay home like today, our heroes are always with us, in our hearts," he said. "We will march on paving stones of Red Square paying tribute to our heroes next time."

sharply reduced observances this year left a hole in Russia's civic and emotional calendar.

WWII, in which Soviet Union lost an estimated 26 million people including 8.5 million soldiers, has become a fundamental piece of Russian national identity.