In pictures: Russia marks end of Leningrad WW2 siege

Ceremonies have taken place in St Petersburg to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the deadly and gruelling World War Two siege of Leningrad, as the Russian city was then known.

Image copyrightEPAImage caption Honour guards began a military parade, carrying the banners of the Soviet Fronts that fought for the city against Nazi Germany Image copyrightAFP/Getty ImagesImage caption Modern tanks rolled through the heart of St Petersburg - Russia's second-largest city and a former capital Image copyrightAFP/Getty ImagesImage caption Famed WW2-era T-34 battle tanks also participated in the ceremonies Image copyrightAFP/Getty ImagesImage caption Soldiers dressed in WW2 Soviet uniforms were part of the parade Image copyrightAFP/Getty ImagesImage caption Military jets made an overfly over the northern city Image copyrightAFP/Getty ImagesImage caption The siege lasted 872 days - from 8 September 1941 to 27 January 1944 Image copyrightAFP/Getty ImagesImage caption Russian President Vladimir Putin described the siege as "872 days of terrible, inhumane suffering" Image copyrightEPAImage caption War veterans were among those paying respects to the victims of the siege Image copyrightSovfoto/UIG via Getty ImagesImage caption About 800,000 people died from hunger, cold and shelling by Nazi troops during the two-and-a-half-year blockade

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