Russian Victory Parade Buoyed By Crimea

President Putin said it was a day when "Patriotism Triumphs" and vowed to defend the interests of the Motherland

Unconfirmed reports say Mr.Putin will visit a parade in Crimea later 

Meanwhile several people are reported to have been injured in a shoot out between Ukrainian troops and separatists in the town of Mariupol

Festivities in Ukraine will be muted amid fears of provoking further violence in the South and East

Moscow denies fomenting Pro Russian separatist unrest in Ukraine

Mr.Putin did not mention Ukraine in his speech , instead stressing how the "Iron will of the Soviet People" had saved Europe from slavery

He told the crowd that May 9th known as Victory Day in Russia , was a "Day of grief and Eternal Memory"

"It is a holiday when an overwhelming force of Patriotism , when all of us feel particularly acutely what it means to be loyal to the Motherland  and how important it is to defend its interests" he said

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it would be a pity if Mr. Putin were to use the commemorations to visit Crimea

The parade in Moscow traditionally features a display of military hardware and a show of Patriotic fervour on Reds Square

Meanwhile Ukraine's interim authorities have discouraged public gatherings amid fears that Pro Russian activists might try to stoke violence

"Roadblocks have been set up around our capital , where serious checks are being carried out , because we expect that provocative actions may occur on May 9th" said Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov

A low key wreath ceremony is planned in Kiev