Immortal Regiment March in Berlin commemorating Victory Day

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Agencies
9 May 2023 22:01
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Sputnik's correspondent noted that such restrictive measures by the German authorities on Victory Day are unprecedented.

People carry portraits of relatives who fought in World War II, during the Immortal Regiment march in St. Petersburg, Russia,May 9, 2022 (AP)

Around 1,000 people in Berlin including Germans, Russia, and other nationals of former Soviet Republics gathered at Brandenburg Gate around noon and marched towards the Soviet War Memorial: commemorating the fallen soldiers who died in the Great Patriotic War.

Many held balloons in the colors of the Russian flag due to the ban on the display of the Russian flags in Germany.

Participants of 'Immortal Regiment' march in Berlin sing 'Katyusha' song#ImmortalRegiment #Russia #VictoryDay #9mai pic.twitter.com/ohS7l2HGJB
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) May 9, 2023

Sputnik's correspondent reported that the March was interrupted recurrently by the police. Additionally, members of the Immortal Regiment were reportedly not allowed to spend a minute of silence in front of the memorial.

The reporter noted that such restrictive measures by the German authorities on Victory Day are unprecedented.

In addition to the logistical complications enforced, the police had decreed that while carrying portraits of fallen soldiers and late veterans was allowed, Russian flags, Soviet flags, and Saint George ribbons were strictly prohibited.

Raed more: Putin to give Victory Day speech as usual despite UAV attack

Yesterday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "new incarnation of Judas in the 21st century" in a post via her Telegram channel, after the announcement that Zelensky has canceled "Victory Day" on May 9th, in exchange for a "Europe Day" celebration.