BERLIN
German authorities banned on Tuesday the use of Russian flags and symbols during the Victory Day commemorations.
Berlin police enforced strict controls at memorial sites as hundreds of people gathered to mark the 78th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
The commemorations started in the morning at the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park in Berlin, and participants laid wreaths and flowers at the monument to pay tribute to fallen soldiers.
Hundreds of demonstrators later marched from Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate to the Soviet Memorial in Tiergarten, carrying pictures of Soviet soldiers who fought against Nazi Germany.
Members of the infamous pro-Russian motorcycle group the Night Wolves also arrived at the memorial and laid flowers at the monument.
A large police presence was deployed to prevent possible tensions between pro-Russia groups and Ukrainian protesters.
