Russia celebrated victory over Nazi Germany with a show of military might not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Warplanes flew over Red Square and missile launchers rumbled past ranks of soldiers on Friday (May 9) when Russia celebrated victory over Nazi Germany with a show of military might not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The annual May parade, which commemorates the almost 27 million Soviets who perished in World War Two, is also intended to show Russia's revival and a military that the Kremlin says is still a force to be reckoned with. Vladimir Putin, before stepping down as president, ordered generals to revive the Soviet-era tradition of driving tanks, howitzers and missile launchers over Red Square as Russia's top brass watch from a platform in front of Lenin's mausoleum. President Dmitry Medvedev, sworn in as Kremlin leader this week, shook hands with veterans at the parade's opening. "Glory to the victorious soldier, glory to the great army of liberation. Congratulations with the day of great victory, hooray," Medvedev said. Putin did not give a speech. The Kremlin has sought to foster memories of the World War Two, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War, as a way to forge Russian unity after the upheavals and rancour which followed the fall of the Soviet Union. Politicians and generals are keen to show results of sharply rising military spending at home and to send a message overseas about Russia's renewed power. Russia has no...