Berlin bans Russian flag on Victory Day

The German authorities have banned Russian flags, military uniforms, placards featuring the letters V or Z, and other symbols and signs that could be seen as glorifying Russia's war against Ukraine during events in Berlin on 9 May [Victory Day, a Russian holiday that commemorates the Soviet victory in WWII – ed.]. 

Source: European Pravda with reference to Zeit

Details: On Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 May, Berlin will host a number of events to mark the end of World War II in Europe, including several wreath-laying ceremonies at Soviet memorials in Treptower Park and the Tiergarten, as well as rallies at the Brandenburg Gate and in the government quarter.

This year, police have once again banned Russian flags, military uniforms, placards featuring the letters V or Z, and other symbols and signs that could be seen as glorifying Russia's war against Ukraine near Soviet memorials. Russian military marches and songs are also banned.

Wednesday begins with a large demonstration in Treptower Park entitled The 79th Anniversary of Liberation from Fascism – Thank You to the Liberators, in which 200 people will take part. Throughout the day, left-wing and communist groups, as well as representatives of district authorities, will lay wreaths at memorials in various locations in Berlin.

Supporters of Ukraine have announced that there will be a demonstration in the government quarter: "Peace for Europe! Russian soldiers out of Ukraine".

On Thursday there will be more demonstrations in the government quarter and Treptower Park, where a left-wing rally with 300 participants has been registered to start at 09:00.

A 1,000-strong rally is set to take place at 11:30 on Strasse des 17 Juni (17 June Street), which runs through the Tiergarten, to commemorate the Soviet soldiers who died during World War II. At noon, a left-wing demonstration will march from Friedrichshain to Treptower Park.  A similar event is planned around the Brandenburg Gate from 17:00.

In addition, the Night Wolves, a group of pro-Putin bikers, are expected to arrive in Berlin on Thursday.

Previously: 

• Lithuania’s Department of State Security has not ruled out the possibility of Russian provocations in the country on 9 May.
• Latvian law enforcement and security agencies have promised to prepare for 9 May very seriously this year.
• And in Moldova, the authorities have warned that people who wear a St George's ribbon or the Z or V signs – symbols of Russian aggression – on 9 May will be fined.

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