Putin denounces Nato at scaled back Victory Day parade

"They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the whole bloc of Nato. And despite this, our heroes move forward."The Russian leader went on to celebrate the citizens of Russia, making reference to the contributions of workers to its war effort, including scientists, inventors, military correspondents, doctors and teachers."No matter how military tactics change, the future of the country is being provided for by the people," he said.Immediately after the speech, cannons fired successive rounds before music was played by a military brass band.Behind Putin was Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.Also in attendance at the event were Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Malaysia's King, Sultan Ibrahim, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was also pictured meeting Putin at the Kremlin ahead of the parade.Markedly fewer world leaders turned up compared to last year's 80th anniversary parade, which featured 27 leaders including China's President Xi Jinping and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.