Putin swears his nukes are ‘always’ ready, snubs UK in WWII rant at snowy VE Day parade with ONE TANK

VLADIMIR Putin vowed Russia was “always” ready to strike the West and snubbed Britain in a snarling speech about World War II at Russia’s annual Victory Day parade.

The Russian tyrant instead praised China and said Russia was “combat ready” in these “difficult” times as nuclear missiles rumbled through the streets of Moscow.

May 9 parades are held across Russia to patriotically celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, which Putin made a pillar of his nearly quarter-century rule and a justification for his invasion of Ukraine.

The day is a way to show the world the power of Russia’s military machine, remember war sacrifices and spark national pride – all led by a flagship event in Moscow’s Red Square.

However, for the second year in a row, the parade featured only a meager tank, apparently an 80-year-old T-34.

“We must never forget the lessons of World War II… and never forget our allies,” the 71-year-old Russian leader told thousands of troops in one of his shortest speeches to date , barely seven minutes.

Ignoring the role played by the United Kingdom, the United States and other allied countries in what Russia calls its “Great Patriotic War,” Putin took the opportunity to tell his citizens that Russia’s sovereignty was threatened.

“Victory Day unites all generations. We are moving forward, relying on our centuries-old traditions and are confident that together we will ensure a free and secure future for Russia.”

Putin praised the “heroes” fighting in Ukraine and accused “Western elites” of fomenting conflicts around the world.

As tensions between Russia and the West reach their highest levels since the Cold War, Putin also provided a stark reminder of Russia’s nuclear power.

Snow swept across the vast square as the despot declaimed: “Russia will do everything to prevent a global confrontation, but will not allow anyone to threaten us.”

“Our strategic forces are always combat ready.”

The Soviet Union lost approximately 27 million people in the war, an estimate that many historians consider conservative, leaving traces in virtually every family.

After calling for a minute of silence, Putin ended with the words: “For Russia! For victory! Hooray!”, giving the signal for thousands of soldiers to respond with three howling cheers.

A blow for Putin: Many regional parades were canceled this year due to what governors called “security concerns.”

Amid all the pomp and propaganda, there was a distinct lack of military hardware on display compared to the events preceding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

Unfortunately, there only seemed to be one tank roaring through Red Square.

Russia suffered huge losses in troops and equipment on the battlefield.

A British intelligence assessment last week suggested that 450,000 Russian troops had been killed or wounded in Ukraine – with losses reaching 1,300 troops a day over the past two months.

It also claims that Russia has lost 3,000 main battle tanks, 10,000 armored vehicles, 109 aircraft and 23 warships in the war so far.