RFE/RL correspondent Glenn Kates is in the eastern Ukrianian city of Kharkiv. He reports tense exchanges among people marking Victory Day there, with pro-Russian participants chanting "Thank you, grandfather, for victory," while pro-Ukraine participants chant "Glory to Ukraine."
Follow Glenn on Twitter here.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has now appeared to review the parade.
The parade in Moscow today will consist of four main parts -- historical, ground forces, military technology, and aircraft (143 planes and helicopters). Parade is expected to begin in two minutes.
Here are a few images from Victory Day ceremonies in Minsk, which is also hosting a military parade today:
A Rossia-24 announcer just said the parade will have "many, many surprises, especially for veterans." The youngest veteran on Red Square is more than 90 years old, she said, and several are more than 100 years old.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is making his way to the podium on Red Square now, greeting veterans and military officers as he proceeds.
The Russian media project The Question has, in Russian, several film critics responding to the question "which films should be watched on May 9." The experts list some of the best Soviet films, as well as Western classics.
Russia's Rossia-24 state television is showing the Moscow Victory Day parade live from Red Square. You can watch it here.
Russia's Channel One state television has the parade live here.
The European Commission has issued a video statement, narrated by European Council President Donald Tusk, on the occasion of Europe Day, as May 9 is designated by the European Union. The holiday celebrates "the united Europe" that emerged out of the horror of World War II:
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius noted on Twitter this morning that Victory Day in 1945 did not mean freedom for his country: