TOPSHOTS Children sit atop the World War II-era Soviet T-34 tank during Victory Day celebration in the Armenian capital Yerevan, on May 9, 2013. Armenia as well as the other former Soviet republics celebrates the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany on May 9, the date of the Nazis' capitulation to the Soviet Union, which took place in the evening on May 8, 1945 (May 9 by Moscow Time), following the original capitulation Germany agreed earlier to the joint Allied forces on the Western Front. AFP PHOTO / KAREN MINASYAN

An honour guard from the Presidential Regiment marches at the Red Square in Moscow, on May 9, 2013, during Victory Day parade. Fighter jets screamed over Red Square and heavy tanks rumbled over its cobblestones as Russia flexed today its military muscle on the anniversary of its costly victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

Russian soldiers march at the Red Square in Moscow, on May 9, 2013, during Victory Day parade. Fighter jets screamed over Red Square and heavy tanks rumbled over its cobblestones as Russia flexed today its military muscle on the anniversary of its costly victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

TOPSHOTS Fireworks go off above the Kremlin during Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, 2010. Troops from four NATO states marched through Red Square for the first time as Russia marked victory in World War II with its biggest military parade since the collapse of the Soviet Union. TOPSHOTS/AFP PHOTO/ ALEXANDER NEMENOV

May 9, 2013 -- Veteran of World War II receives flowers from people as a sign of gratitude. The Victory Day is celebrated on 9 May, in memory of the capitulation of Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Since 1965 that Victory Day was proclaimed a national holiday in Russia, the ritual of the celebration includes ceremonial meetings, speeches, lectures, receptions and fireworks. Another special tradition is that the young people offers flowers to the veterans still alive, often dressed in military uniforms. When Putin came to power he started to promote the prestige of the governing regime and history, national holidays and commemorations all became a source for national self-esteem. Since then Victory Day in Russia has increasingly been turned into a joyous celebration in which popular culture plays a great role. The celebration of the anniversary of Victory Day in Russia became today the largest national and popular holiday since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

WWII veterans watch the Victory Day military parade at the Red Square in Moscow. Russia, on Monday, May 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

TOPSHOTS Russian military jets fly above the St.Basil's cathedral at the Red Square in Moscow, on May 9, 2013, during Victory Day parade. Fighter jets screamed over Red Square and heavy tanks rumbled over its cobblestones as Russia flexed today its military muscle on the anniversary of its costly victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV

A column of Russia's Topol intercontinental ballistic missile launchers rolls at the Red Square in Moscow, on May 9, 2013, during Victory Day parade. Fighter jets screamed over Red Square and heavy tanks rumbled over its cobblestones as Russia flexed today its military muscle on the anniversary of its costly victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV

TOPSHOTS Russian soldiers march at the Red Square in Moscow, on May 9, 2013, during Victory Day parade. Fighter jets screamed over Red Square and heavy tanks rumbled over its cobblestones as Russia flexed today its military muscle on the anniversary of its costly victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

People gather at the monument to WWII victims during Ukraine's commemorations to mark the 68th anniversary of the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany, in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, May 9, 2013. Ukrainians continue to celebrate the World War II anniversary and Victory Day on May 9 as a national holiday. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

May 9, 2013 -- Veteran of World War II receives flowers from people as a sign of gratitude. The Victory Day is celebrated on 9 May, in memory of the capitulation of Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Since 1965 that Victory Day was proclaimed a national holiday in Russia, the ritual of the celebration includes ceremonial meetings, speeches, lectures, receptions and fireworks. Another special tradition is that the young people offers flowers to the veterans still alive, often dressed in military uniforms. When Putin came to power he started to promote the prestige of the governing regime and history, national holidays and commemorations all became a source for national self-esteem. Since then Victory Day in Russia has increasingly been turned into a joyous celebration in which popular culture plays a great role. The celebration of the anniversary of Victory Day in Russia became today the largest national and popular holiday since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Russian soldiers march along Red Square during a Victory Day parade Thursday, May 9, 2013. President Vladimir Putin's short speech Thursday came at the culmination of Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany 68 years ago. It is Russia's most important secular holiday, honoring the huge military and civilian losses of World War II and showing off the country's modern arsenal.(AP Photo/ Ivan Sekretarev), APTOPIX

TOPSHOTS Russian fighter jets fire fly over the Kremlin cathedrals during a rehearsal of the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 7, 2013. Russia celebrates the 1945 Soviet victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. AFP PHOTO / ANDREY SMIRNOV

TOPSHOTS Russia's newly-inaugurated President Vladimir Putin (2nd L) and new Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (3rd L) speak as they watch Victory Day parade at the Red Square in Moscow, on May 9, 2012. Thousands of Russian soldiers marched today across Red Square to mark the 67 years since the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. AFP PHOTO / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA

TOPSHOTS World War II veterans sing near a portrait of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin (R) during Victory Day celebrations in Bishkek on May 9, 2012. Russia and ex-Soviet republics marked today the 67 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. AFP PHOTO / VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO

TOPSHOTS Kyrgyz honour guards march near the Eternal Flame monument during Victory Day celebrations in Bishkek on May 9, 2012. Russia and ex-Soviet republics marked today the 67 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. AFP PHOTO / VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO

Russian soldiers march during a rehearsal of the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, late on April 30, 2012. The parade will take place on the Red Square in Moscow on May 9 to commemorate the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany. TOPSHOTS / AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

TOPSHOTS Russian self-propelled guns rolls on the Red Square in Moscow late on April 26, 2012, during a night rehearsal of the Victory Day Parade.The parade will take place on May 9 to commemorate the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany. AFP PHOTO / ANDREY SMIRNOV

A Russian soldiers marches during a rehearsal of the Victory Day Parade in Alabino, outside Moscow, on April 18, 2012. The parade will take place on the Red Square in Moscow on May 9 to commemorate the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany. AFP PHOTO/ TOPSHOTS/ KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

A Russian WW II veteran walks through Red Square after the nation's Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2011 in commemoration of the end of WWII. Russia was due Monday to march 20,000 soldiers and its most advanced missiles across Red Square in a parade marking victory in World War II and reinforcing the country's belief in its Soviet-era might.AFP PHOTO / DMITRY KOSTYUKOV