Countries across the world will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender in World War II. But this year’s events may be more bittersweet than in the past.

Europe is marking one of its most joyous days in history. The 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on the continent was on Thursday.

Thursday marks 80 years since Victory in Europe Day, when the Allies accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender. The day will be marked with memorials and moments of silence across Europe.

As Russian tanks, missiles and drones rumble through Red Square on Friday for the annual Victory Day parade celebrating the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany, President Vladimir Putin will be joined by at least two dozen world leaders, marking a victory of his own as a leader the West has sought to isolate.

A military parade has begun on Red Square in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II