President Putin says 'West was preparing to invade our land' in Victory Day address

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a victory day speech that Russia's action in Ukraine was justified because the West was preparing to invade our nation, including Crimea.

Putin was speaking at the annual Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square, which commemorates the Soviet Union's World War II victory over Nazi Germany.

Victory Day is Russia's most important event and a source of national pride, celebrated each year with a massive march of soldiers and military hardware across Red Square.

Russian President also said that the military and volunteers fighting in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine are fighting for their Motherland.