But as Mr Morrison shows in his technicolour chronicle of the city, beneath the petro-funded sheen, Moscow is a domain of purges, paranoia and ravenous power. History has shaped its character; equally,

Ukraine offered to begin a ceasefire on May 6, but the Kremlin rejected the proposal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the situation ahead of May 9, thanked Ukraine’s Defense Forces for the results of the long-range strikes on targets inside Russia and highlighted strikes on key facilities deep within the country.

As the country heads into Victory Day, the economy is stalling, internet restrictions are growing and the Kremlin is fearing Ukrainian attacks.

Russian attacks killed more than 20 people across Ukraine on Tuesday, including 12 in one of the deadliest strikes this year, hours before the midnight start of an open-ended ceasefire proposed by Kyiv.

Hours before Russia's ceasefire began, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warns allies of Moscow against attending parade, marking Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

Russia is hosting a scaled-down version of the parade this year, saying it won't display military equipment due to the war situation.

Kremlin officials said a large strike on Kyiv would be “inevitable” if Ukraine disrupted the May 9 event, a prospect President Volodymyr Zelensky has appeared to allude to.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday warned allies of Russia against attending its May 9 WWII victory parade, as Moscow doubled down on its threat to strike Kyiv on the day.