Russia started celebrations marking the 65th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War on Sunday with a military parade at the Red Square in central Moscow.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speaks before the start of a military parade in Red Square in Moscow May 9, 2010. Russia celebrates the victory over Nazi troops on Sunday by a military parade in Red Square. [Xinhua]

At 10:00 a.m. Moscow time (0600 GMT), the parade started when Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and the Moscow Military District Commander Valery Gerasimov inspected and saluted the troops with festival greetings.

"I congratulate you on the jubilee of the great victory," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in his address to mark the start of the parade.

He said that Russian people should never forget the 34 million Soviet soldiers who had took part in the Great Patriotic War, and the victory of the Great Patriotic War is not only a military victory, but also a moral victory and common victory for human.

Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, were joined by leaders from over 20 countries, including China and Germany, at the Red Square to watch the grand parade that is the centerpiece of the weekend celebrations.

About 3,000 veterans of the Second World War and other domestic and foreign guests, attended the unprecedented celebrations.

Around 10,500 personnel, 159 military armaments, 127 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters participate in the Red Square parade.