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Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin at the annual Victory Day parade in Moscow

Missiles, tanks and other heavy weaponry have rolled through Moscow's Red Square in the annual Victory Day parade, reviving a tradition of the Soviet era and demonstrating Russia's growing military confidence.

Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany, is Russia's most important secular holiday.

It honours the country's enormous Second World War sacrifices - nearly nine million Red Army soldiers are estimated to have died - and asserts the country's military strength.

Russia has nearly quadrupled its defence spending in recent years, aiming to resuscitate the military forces that deteriorated in the post-Soviet period.

The display of more than 100 tanks, mobile missile units and armoured vehicles was aimed at underlining the military revival - but much of the heavy weaponry shown was only slightly modernised versions of equipment developed decades ago.

Although the display was significantly smaller than in Soviet-era parades, the return of the tradition has raised concerns that Russia harbours aggressive ambitions.

But President Dmitry Medvedev, in a speech opening the parade, said: "The true purpose of weapons and military equipment is to give reliable defence of the homeland."

Mr Medvedev, who took office on Wednesday, avoided controversial statements such as predecessor Vladimir Putin's parade speech last year that implied parallels between the US and Adolf Hitler's Third Reich.

Russia has consistently criticised both the US-led war in Iraq and wide Western recognition of Kosovo's independence as arrogant violations of international principles.

Mr Putin, who was named Russian prime minister on Thursday, stood just behind Mr Medvedev's shoulder and his face was prominently shown in TV broadcasts as the president spoke - underlining the wide belief that Mr Putin will be the power behind the presidency.