Russia celebrates Victory Day in occupied Ukraine
A thousand kilometres south of Moscow and its military parade, celebrations to commemorate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany during World War II and to show support for the ongoing invasion were also held in the Russian-controlled territories of Ukraine. Here is our summary of Victory Day celebrations in occupied Ukraine.
Donetsk Oblast
In Mariupol, a 300-metre-long St George's Ribbon was unfurled and carried through the streets of the city. The Moscow Gazette said it was the largest St. George's Ribbon in the world. An eternal flame was also lit in the city. Pyotr Andryushchenko, adviser to the head of Mariupol, said residents of Novoazovsk and Donetsk, predominantly Russians, took part in the procession in the devastated city.
Zaporizhzhya Oblast
An Immortal Regiment march was held for the first time in the city of Melitopol, in southeastern Ukraine. According to the local media RIA Melitopol, 3,000 people were brought to the city from neighbouring occupied zones to participates in the demonstration.
In Energodar, the Red Square parade and the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin were broadcast live, according to the news site URA.RU.
Kherson Oblast
Another rally was held in the city of Kherson, while people in Novaya Kakhovka marched to the rally carrying the “banner of victory” (a red flag with a sickle and hammer on it) and Russian flags, RIA Novosti reported. Servicemen also opened a field kitchen in central Kherson.
A motor rally also took place along the road Beryslav - Novaya Kakhovka - Kakhovka.
The Rosgvardiya, the Russian National Guard, also told state-owned news agency TASS that in Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions, “song and dance ensembles of the National Guard troops performed military songs in Kherson, Skadovsk, Genichesk, Novaya Kakhovka, Melitopol and Berdyansk”.