Ukraine war live updates: Putin says Russia 'will not allow anyone to threaten us' as Moscow revels in military pomp

This is CNBC's live blog tracking developments on the war in Ukraine. See below for the latest updates. 

It might be raining in Moscow Thursday but Russia's leadership and military are out in force for the annual "Victory Day" military parade.

President Vladimir Putin, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, is watching on as thousands of Russian troops, tanks, armored vehicles and weaponry are paraded through Red Square in Moscow.

The May 9 event commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II but the Kremlin keen to cast parallels between the Red Army's victory in 1945 and the current conflict in Ukraine.

In other news, a Ukrainian air attack on Russia's Belgorod region injured eight people and damaged scores of residential buildings and cars, the governor of the border region said Thursday.

Among the wounded is an 11-year-old girl who was taken to a hospital, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor said on the Telegram messaging app.

Russia President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia will do everything it can to avoid a global confrontation but said the country would "not allow anyone to threaten us."

Addressing thousands of troops, officials, veterans and guests at the May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow — an annual event that marks the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II — Putin said Russia's strategic nuclear forces were always combat-ready.

Putin said the truth about World War II was being "distorted" while Russia had never denigrated the contribution of allies during the conflict.

— Holly Ellyatt

A Ukrainian air attack on Russia's Belgorod region injured eight people and damaged scores of residential buildings and cars, the governor of the region bordering with Ukraine said on