Putin begins with thanking Russian servicemen who are fighting against international terrorism. He announced a minute's silence for all the Russian citizens who have died at the hands of terrorists.
Rossiya 24 says 1,237 chairs were prepared for the guests at the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Vladimir Putin is to address the nation in about five minutes. Here are the five things to watch for in his speech, according to Mashable's Christopher Miller.
LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky and leader of the Night Wolves, a pro-Kremlin motorcycle club, Aleksandr Zaldostanov have already arrived.