Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that troops and volunteers fighting in the eastern Ukrainian Donbass region were fighting for their Motherland.

"You are fighting for your Motherland, its future," he told them, speaking at the annual parade on Moscow's Red Square marking the anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

"The death of every soldier and officer is painful for us," he said. "The state will do everything to take care of these families."

He finished his speech with a rallying cry to the assembled soldiers: "For Russia, For Victory, Hurrah!"

(Editing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Alex Richardson)