Russians celebrated the Scarlet Sails festival with a stunning fireworks display.

Footage captures the spectacular aerial show lighting up the sky over St Petersburg on Saturday, June 28, in celebration of high school graduates.

Organisers said this year's celebration welcomed more than 100,000 graduates from across Russia.

In addition, more than 500 international students from countries including Moldova, Cuba, Venezuela, and several African nations were invited as honoured guests.

The festivities began with a major open-air concert in Palace Square.

Governor Alexander Beglov also took to the stage to offer his personal congratulations to the graduating class.

The event, inspired by the novel Scarlet Sails by Russian author Alexander Grin, has grown into one of St Petersburg's most beloved and recognisable cultural celebrations.