Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday promised that Russia will "firmly" defend its national interests and denounced the return of "Russophobia" as the country marked the 76th anniversary of victory in World War II.

"Russia consistently defends the international law. At the same time, we will firmly defend our national interests to ensure the safety of our people," Putin told thousands of military personnel and veterans gathered in the Red Square in Moscow.  

He also denounced what he called a creeping return of ideologies of the time, when "slogans of racial and national superiority, of anti-Semitism and Russophobia, became ever more cynical." 

Putin's speech came at the start of an annual parade that sees military hardware roll through the streets of Moscow. More than 12,000 military personnel took part in the parade together with around 190 pieces of military equipment and 76 fighter jets and helicopters, according to the RIA Novosti agency. 

In 1945, the Soviet Union designated May 9 as the Victory Day of the Great Patriotic War to mark the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany in WWII. 

"The Soviet people kept their sacred oath, defended the homeland and freed the countries of Europe from the black plague," the Russian leader said. 

This year's parade comes at a time when Moscow's relations with the West are acutely strained over a range of issues. The United States and Russia have expelled each other's diplomats in recent months in a series of retaliatory moves. 

(With input from AFP, Reuters)