Nationwide commemorations honor the courage and sacrifice of WWII veterans and fallen heroes
Russia is marking the 81st anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany in World War II on May 9, paying tribute to the millions who gave their lives to defeat the Third Reich.
The Soviet Union bore the brunt of the war, losing an estimated 27 million people in what is known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. Victory Day remains one of the country's most important national holidays.
In Russia, Victory Day is celebrated on May 9 because Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender was signed late on May 8 in Berlin, when it was already after midnight in Moscow.
The main annual military parade is set to take place on Red Square after 10am on Friday, but various festivities and celebrations are already taking place in the Far East of the vast country, which spans 11 time zones.
Moscow announced a two-day ceasefire starting May 8 to coincide with the Victory Day commemorations, but Ukraine refused to observe it, sendinghundreds of dronesinto Russia. US President Donald Trump laterdeclaredthat Kiev had allegedly agreed to a truce on May 9-11.
Commemorations in several Western European countries, including Germany, have been overshadowed by restrictions on Soviet and Russian symbols, such as flags and St. George ribbons, introduced after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Moscow has condemned the bans as an attempt to erase the memory of the USSR's role in defeating Nazism.
Despite the restrictions, people across Europe are continuing to lay flowers at Soviet war memorials and take part in Immortal Regiment marches, carrying portraits of relatives who fought the Nazis during the deadliest conflict in human history.
(RT.com)
