Putin 'mirroring fascism' of 77 years ago, UK's Wallace says

Russian President Vladimir Putin watches a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace accused President Vladimir Putin and his generals on Monday of mirroring the fascism and tyranny of Nazi Germany and said their invasion of Ukraine was bringing dishonour to Russia's proud military past.

Earlier, during celebrations to mark the 77th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, Putin had evoked the memory of Russian heroism in a speech on Moscow's Red Square to inspire his forces fighting in Ukraine.