Terror at Russian Victory Parade as missile system believed to be the same as that used to destroy Flight MH17 CATCHES FIRE in front of crowd
- A BUK missile caught fire and smoke billowed out the end of it during Russian parade in Siberian city of Chita
- Comes as Vladimir Putin held Russia's largest ever V Day military parade in Red Square, in Moscow today
- Used the event as a way to showcase Russia's military prowess, including the T-14 Armata tanks
- Many world leaders are boycotting the event because of Russia's continued role in the Ukraine crisis
This is the alarming moment a Russian military parade went disastrously wrong when a BUK missile caught fire and smoke billowed out the end of it in front of horrified spectators.
The BUK system was slowly passing through Lenin Square in the Siberian city of Chita as part of the Victory parade celebrations taking place across Russia when it was suddenly engulfed in flames.
The missile system is believed to have been used to down Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in last year's crash over eastern Ukraine in which all 298 on board were killed.
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As it was making its way through the city of Chita, in Siberia, the BUK missile system dramatically caught fire
As concerned spectators watched on, smoke started to pour out of the back of the missile launcher during the V-Day parade
A BUK missile system - the weaponry believed to down MH17 - caught fire during the V day parade in the Siberian city of Chita
Observers said the mobile BUK missile M1 system's engine possibly caught fire in the city of Chita because of an oil leak
A soldier turns his head away from the smoke billowing out of the end of the BUK missile system, as concerned spectators looked on
As the BUK missile system ground to a halt on a level crossing, a group of soldiers were left to douse the flames with a hose
Observers said the mobile BUK missile M1 system's engine possibly caught fire because of an oil leak.
A military source said: 'The fire was extinguished within minutes, then a military truck pulled it away.
'There could have been an oil leak, causing the fire and creating that smoke. Things like that do happen to equipment."
The source downplayed the incident, saying: 'There was no major fire, no emergency situation, no threat.'
It follows the hugely embarrassing episode last week when one of Russia's state-of-the-art T-14 Armata ground to a halt while others drove on in a Victory parade rehearsal.
The engine was still rumbling, but it would not move.
After an attempt to tow it failed, the T-14 rolled away under its own steam about 15 minutes later.
Russian serviceman march during the Victory Day parade, on a day when Russia showcased its new military hardware
Soviet SU-100 tank destroyers drive during the Victory Day parade - Russia used the event to highlight its formidable military defence
Russian T-14 Armata tanks, which have a remote-controlled gun turret and reinforced capsule for the crew, are shown off at the parade
The T-14 Armata is said to surpass all Western versions because of its remotely controlled cannon and the protection it offers to its crew
Russian BUK-M2 medium-range battlefield surface-to-air missile systems drive during the Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square
Russian Kurganets-25 armoured personnel carriers drive during the country's show of strength at the Victory Day parade - they are fitted with guns that are controlled remotely by the crew and can be fitted with larger cannons
Russian BTR-MDM Rakushka (Shell) airborne armored personnel carrier drives during the Victory Day parade at Red Square
A Russian strategic ballistic missile RS-24 Yars launching vehicle is watched on by serviceman as it moves through Red Square
At an aquarium in Siberia, seals wore military headgear, raise a flag, carry knives in their mouths, and shoot at a target
The seals were clearly swept along in the show of military prowess in Russia today during the V Day celebrations
Seals dressed in military uniforms look like they are standing to attention - on the Victory Parade day in Russia
Russian Su-25 assault aircrafts release smoke in the colours of the Russian flag while flying above the Kremlin
Security personnel watch as Russian air force fighter jets trail the colours of the Russian flag as they fly towards Red Square
Russian MIG-29 and SU-25 military jets fly in formation above Red Square in Moscow on the day of celebration
The V Day parade in Red Square, Moscow, is a chance for the country to showcase its formidable defensive powers
In a display of military force, Russian servicemen march during the Victory Day parade that started at 10.00 (07.00 GMT) today
Some 16,500 troops from across Russia are marching past Lenin's Mausoleum and St Basil's Cathedral to commemorate their war dead
Banner unit soldiers march and salute as part of the celebrations to remember the Allied victory over the Nazis in World War Two
The Soviet Union suffered 24 million civilian and military casualties in the war, about 50 times more than the losses of Great Britain
This year's Victory Parade celebrations in Russia is the largest since it was first held on Stalin's orders after victory in Europe
Russia's celebrations take place a day later than those in Western Europe because of a time lag, when the surrender became effective
The Victory Day celebrations in Russia was snubbed by leading world nations - and highlighted its military strength
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu cuts a stern face as he salutes while his car makes its way down Red Square in Moscow
Russian servicemen dressed in historical uniform march in Red Square in the Russian capital this morning
The parade was first held on Stalin's orders after victory in Europe and is now one of the most sacred days in the Russian calendar
Russian S-400 Triumph medium-range and long-range surface-to-air missile systems drive during the Victory Day parade
Russian infantry fighting vehicle with the Armata Universal Combat Platform makes its way through Red Square in Moscow this morning
It came as Vladimir Putin staged Russia's biggest ever Victory Day military parade on Red Square as he displayed the country's formidable armaments in a show of strength directed at the West.
Russia today held Victory Day parades in cities across its 13 time zones marking the 70th anniversary of the Nazi surrender.
Thousands of troops marched across the historic cobblestones in Red Square and new high-tech armour including T-14 Armata tanks was on show publicly for the first time.
Armed with a remote-controlled turret and an automatic loading system, the tank is the product of Russia's ten-year armament program in which £254billion is being spent on new weaponry.
Britain - like many leading world nations - boycotted the event because of Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.
Russia is regularly accused of arming separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, but its officials deny the allegations.
More than 6,000 people have been killed since fighting began in April 2014 in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Russian Typhoon-U all-terrain armoured vehicles with enhanced protection are shown off in the V Day parade in Moscow
Russian BUK-M2/SA-17 Grizzly medium-range battlefield surface-to-air missile system on show during the parade in Moscow
Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the parade that was snubbed by many leading world nations
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping watch the parade in what was a show of Russia's military force
Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (second right) and Kyrgyzstan's President Almazbek Atambayev (second right) watch the parade
Some 16,500 troops from across Russia - some kitted out in World World Two-era uniforms - marched past Lenin's Mausoleum and St Basil's Cathedral, and more than 100 aircraft flew over Red Square.
All eyes were on the new high-tech T-14 Armata tank, which a Russian news agency said would send 'shivers down Washington's spines'.
The RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles - each capable of delivering three nuclear warheads - was also on display.
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In Russia, Victory Day - or V-Day - is marked on May 9, not May 8 as in the rest of Europe.
The grandiose parade was first held on Stalin's orders after victory in Europe and is now one of the most sacred days in the Russian calendar, remembering the 24 million civilian and military casualties during killed in the war.
This was about 50 times greater than the losses incurred by Great Britain.
Even the seals in Russia have caught the patriotic mood sweeping Vladimir Putin's country.
At an aquarium in Siberia, they were pictured wearing military headgear, raising a flag, carrying knives in their mouths, and shooting at a target.
The seals - called Winnie the Pooh and Laska - have been trained to swim, march underwater and carry 'rifles'.
Russian army helicopters fly over Moscow's Red Square to mark the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Allied Forces
Thousands of people congregate in Moscow's Red Square to take part in the Immortal Regiment march during today's celebrations
As people march through central Moscow, they hold aloft pictures of World War Two soldiers in remembrance
Ceremonial unit soldiers march during the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary since the end of Nazism in Europe
Russian jet fighter planes fly over Red Square in the celebrations, which were also used as a way to show the formidable Russian military
Soldiers dressed in the uniform of the Great Patriotic War period march through Moscow on the day of celebration
A young girl gives a flower to a blind World War Two veteran at Gorky park in Moscow in a touching gesture during the celebrations
World War Two veterans Peter Gostrik and his wife Lyudmila Gostrik prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capitulation of Nazi Germany
A Russian veteran of the Second World War is helped as he walks through Red Square prior to today's Victory Parade
A war veteran arrives with two children on the day Russians remember their war dead and the capitulation of Nazi Germany
A girl rushes toward her grandmother, to take some flowers to be laid on the nearby thumbs, during a commemoration ceremony for the Russian soldiers
A boy inspects a billboard showing a winking Russian President Vladimir Putin and a bear as well as a T-shirt that reads: 'I'm a friend of Putin' at Victory Park ahead of celebrations
Young female military cadets arrive at the Eternal Flame at the grand memorial to Soviet soldiers killed during World War Two
The US, Australia, Canada and most of the EU heads of state are snubbing the celebrations in Russia.
Despite that, Winston Churchill's grandson Conservative MP Sir Nicholas Soames represented the Prime Minister.
He said today: 'I am honoured to represent the British government at the commemorations in Moscow to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
'We share in this Victory Day, as Britain and Russia stood together with our allies against the Nazis.
'My grandfather Winston Churchill praised Russia's 'incomparable service to a common cause'.
'My grandmother Clementine Churchill represented him here in Moscow at the first Victory Day in 1945 after a five-week goodwill tour to Russia as Chair of the Red Cross Aid to Russia Fund.
'I am therefore delighted to be here 70 years later as the UK representative to pay homage to the fallen and to commemorate our shared history and victory.'
The event was also attended by Chinese leader Xi Jinping and India's President Pranab Mukherjee, as did UN chief Ban Ki-moon.
Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Cuban supremo Raul Castro, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and South Africa's Jacob Zuma were also present.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a message to Mr Putin wishing him success 'in the formation of powerful Russia'.
Mil Mi-26 Halo helicopter fly over the Red Square during the Victory Day parade that was an exercise of strength for Putin's Russia
Russian servicemen march, looking resplendent in their uniform, salute and march through Moscow
Russian armored vehicles during the Victory Day military parade to mark 70 years since the fall of Nazi Germany
Celebrations are taking place throughout the day across Moscow, on a day when Russia displayed its military prowess
Chinese soldiers march during the V Day parade in a show of solidarity between the two powerful countries
The event was a chance for Russia to show off its military power at a time when relations with the West have hit new lows
Military performers trot on their horses in the display of Russia's military power during the 70th anniversary of the fall of Nazi Germany
Meanwhile in Belarus, a soldier watches on as a group of soldiers march through a parade in the capital of Minsk
Belarus tanks of World War Two move along the parade in the capital of Minsk today to celebrate 70 years since the fall of Nazism
Poland yesterday staged an alternative event for those leaders who refused to go to Moscow.
Events in Gdansk were attended by the presidents of several countries including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania and Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko described today's event in Moscow as a 'parade of cynicism'.
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