9 May 2014



Throughout the former Soviet Union, today marks the 69th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s capitulation to the Soviet Red Army during the Great Patriotic War (or World World II). Victory Day is celebrated every year with large parades and rallies.

This year, Putin was in Crimea for Victory Day. He has declared Crimea’s return to Russia as ‘historic justice’.

Throughout Ukraine, people gathered at war memorials. Outside the pro-Russian separatist-held regional government buildings, war veterans marched in uniforms with shiny medals of valour and people waved the flags of Russia, the Soviet Union. The ‘Donetsk People's Republic’ continues to plan their referendum on independence from Kyiv on Sunday.

In the southeastern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces clashed with pro-Russian separatists. More than 10 people have died, and dozens more wounded.




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