Members of a military band march during the Victory Day parade in Moscow May 9, 2016. Russia marks on Monday the 71st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as the citizens of Georgia and Ukraine, on the 72nd anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, or World War II, the Kremlin press service said Monday.

"In his congratulatory messages, the Russian President emphasized that the Victory Day is a sacred date and a symbol of the unparalleled heroism of our fathers and grandfathers who fought shoulder to shoulder on the war front and who worked tirelessly on the home front to save the Motherland and the entire mankind from fascism," the Kremlin statement said.

Putin underscored that uniting efforts to fight any attempts to distort history and justify the criminal acts of fascism and Nazism would be the best way to pay tribute to the liberators, it added.

The president also said that he is confident that "the traditions of brotherly friendship and mutual assistance strengthened during the war will continue to serve as a solid foundation for developing allied partnership, promoting cooperation among our countries and ensuring regional stability and security".

Putin also conveyed his deepest gratitude to war veterans and home front workers, wishing them good health, well-being and longevity, the statement said.

It is the 72nd anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War on May 9, during which Russia will hold military parades in 28 cities.