Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to Crimea Friday since Russia annexed the Ukrainian region in March. 

He praised the annexation of the disputed territory as evidence of Russian power, USA Today reported. 

In Sevastopol, Putin celebrated Victory Day, the day marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. He thanked the military for fighting in World War II while watching a parade of Russian navy ships and a flyover of Russian aircraft vehicles. 

"The example of Sevastopol shows the world that in places, where people are ready to fight for their freedom, the enemy will never conquer," Putin told crowds of people. 

He added, "2014 will make it into the history of Sevastopol and the history of our country because this is the year that the people of Crimea decided firmly to be with Russia thus proving their loyalty to historical memory and the memory of our predecessor.

"We have lots of work in front of us, but we will overcome all the difficulties because we are together, and that means we have become stronger," he continued. 

He inspected warships from a naval launch in the harbor and shouted out greetings to each vessel. 

Putin joined a crowed of thousands in Moscow's Red Square earlier Friday for a similar celebration that displayed Russia's military power. The celebration coupled Russia's militaristic prowess with the country's pride at the annexation of Crimea. 

"It is a holiday when an overwhelming force of patriotism triumphs, when all of us feel particularly acutely what it means to be loyal to the Motherland and how important it is to defend its interests," Putin said, addressing crowds in Red Square. 

Yet, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the visit to Crimea was "inappropriate."

Putin did not make reference to the conflict in Ukraine during the parade and focused insteaad on the historic importance of the country's momentous win over fascism. 

About 150 military vehicles and 70 combat aircraft took part in the show, which lasted 59 minutes. According to the BBC, there were 50 more military vehicles in this year's procession that in the previous year. 

"The iron will of the Soviet people, their fearlessness and stamina saved Europe from slavery. It was our country which chased the Nazis to their lair, achieved their full and final destruction, won at the cost of millions of victims and terrible hardships," Putin said.

"We will always guard this sacred and unfading truth and will not allow the betrayal and obliteration of heroes, of all who, not caring about themselves, preserved peace on the planet," he added. 

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, fighting broke out in the port city of Mairupol as Ukrainian troops tried to crack down on pro-Russian separatists. 

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said that 20 "terrorists" and one police officer were killed during a violent conflict that began when 60 gunmen tried to capture a police station. 

A fire also broke out near a main broadcasting tower in Kiev Friday, disrupting some television services for a period of time. Kiev's mayor's office said the fire appeared to be due to a shorted circuit and not an act of sabotage. 

However, that was denied by Ukraine's security services, who said the fire was indeed sabotage. 

And despite Putin's calls to delay a referendum vote in Ukraine that is set for Sunday, pro-Russia separatists in East Ukraine said they are going through with the referendum vote to decide whether the regions will gain autonomy from Ukraine.