Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the 81st Victory Day.

“In a message, conveyed on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan, the President noted that victory in the Great Patriotic War remains a solemn and enduring reminder of the immense sacrifices made by the Russian people in the defence of their homeland and in the global struggle against fascism,” his office said.

Russia’s 81st Victory Day military parade began at 10am this morning as the three-day ceasefire with Ukraine came into force.

Despite the ceasefire, Russia is holding its most scaled-back Victory Day parade due to the threat of attack from Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin has arrived at Red Square and will deliver a speech shortly.

Vladimir Putin has arrived at Red Square in Moscow for the Victory Day military parade.

He was accompanied by Belarusian leader Aleksander Lukashenko.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his country’s commitment to its mutual defence treaty with Russia in a message to president Vladimir Putin, congratulating Russia on the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two.

Kim reiterated North Korea’s position to “give top priority” to its partnership with Russia and its commitment to “the implementation of the obligations of the inter-state treaty,” according to KCNA.

Russia and North Korea in 2024 signed a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty” during a visit to Pyongyang by Putin. The pact includes a mutual defence provision.

North Korea sent an estimated 14,000 troops to fight with Russian forces in Kursk during the ongoing war in Ukraine. South Korean, Ukrainian and Western officials said those troops suffered heavy casualties, with more than 6,000 North Korean soldiers killed in the fighting.

Russia’s defence ministry has broadcast footage of its troops flying a drone with a replica of the historic “Victory Banner” above areas captured from Ukraine in the eastern Donbas region.

The Victory Banner was erected by Red Army soldiers atop the Reichstag building in Berlin in 1945.

The red flags were also raised in Krasnoarmeysk, Grishino and Seversk in occupied Donetsk to “symbolise the unbreakable bond between generations and fidelity to the heroic traditions of our Fatherland,” the ministry said.

Foreign dignitaries have begun arriving at Red Square in Moscow for the start of today’s Victory Day parade, where Russian leader Vladimir Putin will address the public and military.

Additional security personnel were seen scouting the area this morning, while military officials took their positions for a march.

The parade will begin at 10am local time, coinciding with the beginning of the three-day ceasefire announced by Donald Trump yesterday.