Russia staged a grandiose military parade through Moscow's Red Square on Monday as part of nationwide celebrations to mark 71 years since the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Some 10,000 troops, tanks and nuclear missile systems swept across Red Square's cobblestones in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior officials and a handful of war veterans.

Putin addressed the troops, congratulating them on a holiday that traditionally unites Russians across political divides.