Tensions With The West Escalating, Putin Checks Russia's Military Strength

JAKARTA - President Vladimir Putin is expected to inspect a traditional parade to commemorate Russia's Second World War victory on Sunday, May 9. This was done in conjunction with increasing tensions with the West.

This parade is known as a patriotic display of real military power. Parade on Moscow's Red Square to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

The parade is expected to feature more than 12,000 troops, more than 190 military equipment, including intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, and - if the weather permits - a parade flying by nearly 80 military aircraft.

Putin, who has been in power as president or prime minister since 1999, traditionally watches the show, which will start at 0700 GMT, with Soviet war veterans from the observer's podium.

This year's parade precedes parliamentary elections in September and comes at a time when Moscow's relations with the West are deeply strained over everything from Ukraine to the fate of imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The United States and Russia have ousted diplomats from each other in recent months in a series of retaliatory measures and Moscow and EU member states have been embroiled in a similar diplomatic retaliatory dispute.

Sunday's parade follows massive displays of Russian military might near the Ukrainian border and in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Kiev in 2014, and increased fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces.

Moscow says the military show, which worries the West, is an exercise in response to the activities of the military alliance NATO and Ukraine. Since then Moscow has ordered the withdrawal of several troops.

Smaller military parades are planned for Sunday, May 9 in cities across Russia, in annexed Crimea, and at Russia's Hmeymim airbase in Syria.