Russia held a second rehearsal of its annual parade in Moscow's Red Square on Monday (May 4) to celebrate victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

The parade, traditionally held on May 9, the day the Soviet Union signed Germany's surrender, will this year mark the 81st anniversary of victory in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War.

Earlier on Monday Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a two-day ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine on May 8-9, Russia's Defence Ministry said.

The ministry added that it counted on the Ukrainian side to follow suit and that Russia would launch a massive retaliatory missile strike on the centre of Kyiv if Ukraine attempted to disrupt Victory Day celebrations.

This year, the parade will be held in a slimmed-down version and without the usual display of weaponry, the Kremlin said last week, citing an increased threat of Ukrainian attacks.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

TROOPS AT REHEARSAL OF VICTORY DAY PARADE IN CENTRAL MOSCOW NEAR KREMLIN / SUNSET VIEWS OF KREMLIN

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: SEE 6591-WW2-ANNIVERSARY/RUSSIA-PARADE-ARCHIVE FOR ARCHIVE FOOTAGE OF 2025 VICTORY DAY PARADE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (MAY 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF TROOPS MARCHING AND SINGING AT VICTORY DAY PARADE REHEARSAL

2. VARIOUS OF TROOPS MARCHING WITH FLAGS

3. TROOPS MARCHING, ST. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL SEEN IN BACKGROUND

4. TROOPS STANDING GETTING READY

5. PEOPLE ON BRIDGE LOOKING AND FILMING

6. TWO SOLDIERS SWINGING SABLES AND MARCHING IN PLACE

7. SOLDIER HOLDING RIFLE

8. TROOPS PRACTICING MARCHING IN PLACE

9. TROOPS STANDING

10. VARIOUS OF TROOPS MARCHING AND SINGING

11. TROOPS MARCHING, KREMLIN SEEN IN BACKGROUND

12. VARIOUS OF VIEWS OF KREMLIN AT SUNSET