Thousands of Russian troops marched today in Red Square to mark 69 years since their victory in World War II in a show of military might amid tensions in Ukraine following Moscow's annexation of Crimea.

Putin's surprise call on Wednesday for delaying the referendum in eastern Ukraine appeared to reflect Russia's desire to distance itself from the separatists as it bargains with the West over a settlement to the Ukrainian crisis.

But insurgents in the Russian-speaking east defied Putin's call and said they would go ahead with the referendum.