Putin and Xi to mark WW2 victory amid war in Ukraine

MOSCOW - Russia marks on Friday the 80th anniversary of the Soviet and allied victory over Nazi Germany, though there are fears that Ukraine may seek to disrupt the most hallowed celebration in the Russian calendar.

Here is some information on who is expected to attend the celebrations, security arrangements and other details.

WHO IS GOING?

Twenty-nine leaders, including Chinas President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are expected to attend, the Kremlin said.

Despite the hostile attitude towards Russia from a number of Western countries, we are very successfully holding a very large-scale event, said Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlins top foreign policy adviser.

The Kremlins list of expected attendees includes the leaders of the former Soviet republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Also expected are the leaders of Bosnia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, China, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea–Bissau, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Palestinian Territories, Serbia, Slovakia, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. The leaders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two rebel regions considered by most of the world to be part of Georgia, are also expected.

Western leaders from key allied victors in World War Two such as British Prime Keir Starmer will not attend, though some U.S. veterans will join the parade. Russian state broadcaster Zvezda said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio might attend but the Kremlin said it had no information on his plans.

Ukraine has invited senior EU leaders and officials to Kyiv.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE CELEBRATION?

At the parade on Red Square, Russian soldiers goose-step to World War Two marching songs, roar to their commanders and drive military hardware such as intercontinental ballistic missiles and tanks past Lenins Mausoleum.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech, usually surrounded by veterans. Russias defence minister inspects the