Putin: Victory Day military parade not saber-rattling

Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that the show of tanks and other military hardware at this year's Victory Day parade should not be seen as saber-rattling.

For the first time since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, the annual military parade in Red Square is to include heavy military equipment including tanks and missiles.

The equipment's return underlines Russia's new assertiveness as the country increases defense spending to revive its military after years of post-Soviet decline. Russia over the past year has resumed well-publicized long-range bomber patrols and has proclaimed the development of sophisticated new weapons.