A mass parade has taken place in Moscow's Red Square - the latest in a series of events in Europe marking 60 years since the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. More than 50 world leaders, including US President George W Bush, have been paying tribute to the Soviet people's sacrifice in World War II. This report from Steve Rosenberg:

Listen to the story

Parading too were two and a half thousand frontline veterans of the war. As they were driven in trucks across Red Square, they waved red carnations and were saluted by the more than fifty world leaders who had gathered here to mark the anniversary.

In a speech, Vladimir Putin said the 9th of May was a sacred day for his country. Tens of millions of Soviet citizens, he said, had been killed in the war. But he paid tribute too to allied troops in western Europe who had been killed battling Nazi Germany.

Steve Rosenberg, BBC News, Moscow

Listen to the words

transformed into a sea of colour
changed from the way it usually looks by colourful flags, slogans, etc.

Bearing standards
carrying ceremonial flags

servicemen
people who work in the army, navy or air force

in commemoration of
remembering

veterans of the war
people who fought in the war

saluted
greeted as a sign of respect (if you are saluted, then someone raises their right hand to their forehead)

to mark the anniversary
to remember the events of 60 years ago

a sacred day
a very special day

paid tribute
praised and thanked

battling
fighting

Read more about this story