AKIPRESS.COM - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday told the annual Victory Day parade on Red Square that the horrors of World War II demonstrate the necessity of countries working together to prevent war, AP reported. 

Russia celebrates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany every May 9 to honor the 8 million Red Army soldiers who fought and died for their country.

"This monstrous tragedy was not able to be prevented primarily because of the connivance of the criminal ideology of racial superiority and due to the lack of unity among the world's leading nations," Putin said.

"To effectively combat terrorism, extremism, neo-Nazism and other threats, consolidation of the entire international community is necessary," he said.

The Soviet Union is estimated to have lost 26 million people in the war, including the 8 million soldiers. The nation's immense suffering contributes to Victory Day's status as Russia's most important secular holiday.

Thick clouds over Moscow on Tuesday forced the cancellation of the traditional dramatic conclusion to the parade — the roaring flyover by scores of military aircraft.