Russia Staging Largest Ever Victory Parade Amid Controversy

(Vatican Radio)Russia is staging its biggest ever military parade in the capital Moscow to mark 70 years of victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, but many Western leaders are boycotting the event amid tensions over the conflict in Ukraine. During the event the country was to officially show its newest weapons and high-tech amour including a special tank.

Click below to listen to correspondant Stefan Bos' report:

It’s the most talked-about new hi-tech Russian amour, the T-14 Armata battle tank, has already been driving through the streets of Moscow as a dress rehearsal for Saturday's victory parade. Yet its remote controlled gun cannon and reinforced capsule to better protect the crew could not prevent it from unexpectedly stopping. This week one of eight T-14s being shown suddenly stopped while others drove on. The engine was still rumbling but it wouldn't move. After an attempt to tow it failed, the T-14 rolled away under its own steam about 15 minutes later. 

SPENDING HAS LIMITS

Yet the incident underscored that spending billions on military hardware has its limits. Military units from across Russia - some dressed in World War Two-era uniforms are gathering to marching, and more than 100 aircraft were to over Red Square when the nation remembers the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. 

More than 20 heads of states are in Moscow. But many world leaders have been boycotting the event over Russia's alleged involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, though Moscow denies it supports pro-Russian separatists with weapons and troops. The United States, Australia, Canada and most of the EU heads of state are boycotting the celebrations. On Friday, Poland organised an alternative event for those leaders who refused to go to Moscow. Among those attending is China's President. He and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed several deals in Moscow, including billions in infrastructure loans for Russia. 

The Kremlin is seeking closer cooperation with Asia and other regions at a time when Western sanctions are impacting the economy amid international concerns over ongoing fighting Ukraine. More than 6,000 people are known to have died since the conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine more than a year ago.