Russia's Victory Day parade begins; Pranab Mukherjee attends celebrations

Mukherjee is also expected to hold bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on civil nuclear cooperation, defence ties and partnership in higher education

President Pranab Mukherjee, who is presently on a four-day visit to Russia, is attending the 70th anniversary celebrations of Victory Day in Moscow on Saturday.

The Victory Day commemorates Russia's triumph in the Second World War.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is also joined by Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

A 70-member Indian Army contingent from the Grenadiers will take part in the military parade.

The parade is being led by the Commander of the Land Forces, Colonel General Oleg Salukov.

Military parades on a smaller scale are also being held in other cities, including Sevastopol in Crimea, and also in rebel-held Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

President Mukherjee is also expected hold bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on civil nuclear cooperation, defence ties and partnership in higher education during his visit.

President Mukherjee is accompanied by Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha and the heads of several top Indian educational institutions, including the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University and Directors of IITs Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.