Russian President Vladimir Putin called for Russians to stand together on Saturday as the country marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II as it remains on lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic.  

"We know and firmly believe that we are invincible when we stand together," Putin said in a televised speech after plans for a grand Victory Day military parade in Red Square had to be postponed because of the pandemic.   

"Our veterans fought for life, against death. And we will always be equal to their unity and endurance," Putin said.  

Huge celebrations had been planned for this year's anniversary, with Putin flanked by world leaders as he presided over a procession of military hardware and 15,000 troops parading through the Red Square. 

But as the coronavirus spread around the world and eventually hit Russia, the Kremlin accepted last month that the celebrations would not be possible and postponed them for a later date this year.   

Putin has described Victory Day celebrations as sacred to Russians but said a big public event was too risky during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Putin instead laid flowers at the Eternal Flame outside the red brick walls of the Kremlin and gave a solemn speech highlighting the sacrifices made by the Soviet Union in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War.  

A ceremonial honor guard marched past Putin after his speech, as Russian television showed images of an empty Red Square nearby. Military helicopters, bombers and fighter jets then flew over the city, in a display of the country's military might for this year's anniversary. 

An estimated 26 million Soviet citizens lost their lives in World War II, with hardly any families emerging unscathed.

Hundreds of thousands of people usually take part in the Immortal Regiment parade through central Moscow, carrying posters with images of their ancestors.

In the year of social distancing, the event was held online. Russians watched a fly-past over Moscow and fireworks shows at home on their televisions.

Russia has recorded more than 200,000 cases of coronavirus, making it one of the biggest outbreaks in the world.

Political analyst Anna Aratunyan said postponing the event weighed heavily on Kremlin.

"It wasn't an easy decision to make. This is something that they were certainly deliberating, and Putin's spokesman Peskov said as much, that it was a very difficult decision to make. But at the same time, I think it was pretty clear that it had to be done," she said.

With vulnerable veterans under quarantine at home, Russia's Ministry of Defence brought gifts to their doorsteps. Some were even delivered to their windows by crane.

One veteran has gained national attention telling wartime stories on Instagram.

98-year-old Zinaida Korneva took part in the Battle of Stalingrad and has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the families of healthcare workers. She says she was inspired by the British fundraiser Captain Tom Moore.

"My children and grandchildren showed me this video with Tom Moore. I watched it and I liked the idea and I decided to implement the idea here in Russia," she said.

To mark the occasion, President Vladimir Putin appeared in public for the first time in weeks.

He's been self-isolating after coming into contact with a doctor who was later diagnosed with COVID-19.

Laying flowers outside the Kremlin, the president vowed to hold the parades later in the year.

"We will have the main parade on Red Square, and the people's Immortal Regiment march to show our gratitude and the unbreakable and living bonds of kinship linking generations," he said.

(With input from AFP; Cover: Video screenshot)