Russia’s Syrian allies have put on a sinister show of support for Moscow with a brutal V symbol made of explosions from howitzer shells.

The operation – filmed by Syrian military leaders – shows troops priming the huge shells before firing them into the air.

As they explode in the night sky, they make up the letter V, seen all over Russian tanks and military gear during the invasion of Ukraine.

The Syrian military said: “We know that Russia has just celebrated Victory Day over the Nazis.

“We know that your country is now at war with neo-fascists in Ukraine.

“We have illuminated the letter V with shells as a sign of our common victories.

“Over Ukrainian nationalists and militants who hide in Idlib.”

The Syrian military’s gesture was made in support of the government’s alliance with Russia.

During the Syrian civil war, Russia sided with president Bashar al-Assad.

And Russia’s Wagner Group private army – currently in action in Ukraine – were also sent to Syria to back up the regime.

Fighting between Syrian government forces and rebel fighters has intensified in recent weeks in the province of Idlib.

Meanwhile, Russian planes have escalated the number of air raids in the region in support of the government.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 78th day of the campaign.

From 24th February to 12th May, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 26,650 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,195 tanks, 2,873 armoured fighting vehicles, 534 artillery systems, 191 multiple launch rocket systems, 87 anti-aircraft systems, 199 warplanes, 161 helicopters, 2,019 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 398 unmanned aerial vehicles, 41 units of special equipment and 94 cruise missiles.

This week, Vladimir Putin addressed a huge military parade on Red Square in Moscow to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany at the hands of the Soviet Union in World War II.

The Russian President used his speech to claim that Russian troops in eastern Ukraine were “defending the motherland”. He also said that the “special military operation” in Ukraine was necessary and was provoked by the West.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the Russian blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports threatens global food supplies.