Putin says soldiers in Ukraine fighting 'aggressive force' backed by NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that his soldiers in Ukraine were fighting an "aggressive force" backed by all of NATO, and that the Russian army's cause was "just", as he addressed an annual Victory Day parade on Red Square.

"The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today," Putin said in his address, referring to the Ukraine war.

"They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward," he said, adding later: "I firmly believe that our cause is just."