Military cadets graduate in Russia and Crimea

Thousands of Russian military officers were awarded diplomas in graduation ceremonies across the country on Saturday, when Russia celebrated the 75th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Graduation ceremonies took place in 36 military educational institutions, with 12,500 new officers expected to join Russia's Armed Forces this year.

President Vladimir Putin congratulated the graduates in a video message.

"The lessons of the Great Patriotic War (WWII) and our country's entire history teach us that our army must always be strong, capable of meeting any challenges and threats," he said.

Putin's message was echoed by Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu in an address to graduates at Moscow's Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

A ceremony for naval graduates also took place at the Naval-Military Academy in Crimea's Sevastopol.

The Soviet Union lost an estimated 26 million people during WWII, including 8.5 million soldiers.