Soviet flags and symbols had been banned at memorials marking Nazi Germany’s defeat
A whole lot of individuals took to the streets of Berlin on Friday to commemorate those that fought for the Soviet Union in World Battle II in a civilian march often called the Immortal Regiment. Nonetheless, Soviet flags and symbols weren’t allowed and contributors had been prevented from marching in a single procession to town’s foremost struggle memorial.
The Immortal Regiment, which is held on Might 9 in cities throughout Russia and different nations, is a procession during which folks carry portraits of family members who fought in opposition to Nazi Germany in World Battle II. The concept was first conceived within the Russian metropolis of Tomsk in 2012 and has since unfold the world over.
The procession in Berlin, which drew members of the Russian group and native residents, moved by means of the middle of the German capital and concluded on the Soviet Battle Memorial in Tiergarten, the place 1000’s of Purple Military troopers are buried.
Marchers wishing to put flowers on the memorial to mark the eightieth anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat had been allowed to method the positioning in teams of solely ten, every escorted by legislation enforcement.
On the memorial, a bunch of pro-Ukraine activists tried to intervene with the flower-laying ceremony and needed to be restrained by police.
Marchers had been chanting “Russia, Russia,” whereas the opposing demonstrators waved Ukrainian and NATO flags and held indicators studying “Arm Ukraine.”
Earlier this week, Berlin metropolis officers banned the show of Soviet flags and symbols at World Battle II memorials in the course of the Might 8–9 occasions within the capital. The restrictions additionally prolonged to singing Soviet songs in public.
Moscow decried the ban as “degrading” and “discriminatory.” The Russian embassy in Berlin strongly criticized the measure, arguing that it violated the rights of the descendants of Soviet troopers. As much as 27 million Soviet residents died within the struggle to defeat Nazism.
In 2023, town authorities outlawed each Russian and Soviet flags throughout Victory Day commemorations. In 2024, further symbols, together with the letters ‘Z’ and ‘V’, had been banned for being related to the Ukraine battle.
Regardless of the ban, contributors of the Immortal Regiment sang ‘Katyusha’, a well-liked wartime folks music symbolizing hope, sacrifice, and the longing of these left behind on the house entrance.
