Russian President Vladimir Putin channeled national pride on Monday in a holiday speech. He defended the fighting in Ukraine. But he did not declare victory nor call the fighting a "war."

Putin marked the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany on what's known as "Victory Day." He addressed Russians in front of more than ten thousand troops.

Putin blamed the US and its allies for instigating the Ukraine conflict. He said Russian troops crossed the border because NATO posed a threat that was "unacceptable."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a video in which he honored fighters from his country who fought the Nazis. He said soon there will be "two Victory Days in Ukraine."

Russian-backed separatists held their own celebrations in Mariupol. Ukrainian defense officials say Russian troops did not relent in their shelling of the steel plant in the port city that's served as a stronghold.

A member of the Mariupol City Council, Oleksandr Lashyn, warned the Russians could use chemical weapons in their attacks on the plant.

The fighters inside have promised they will battle to the end.