Germany officially bans Soviet and Russian symbols on 8 and 9 May

Berlin police published an administrative order on 6 May restricting freedom of assembly and access to public spaces in the areas around three Soviet war memorials from 06:00 on 8 May until 22:00 on 9 May.

Source: DW, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In the restricted zones of the Treptow-Köpenick, Mitte and Pankow districts, the wearing of military uniforms and insignia is prohibited, as is the display of the letters Z and V, St George's ribbons, flags and items bearing Russian symbols, flags of the USSR, Belarus and the Chechen Republic, and portraits of their leaders, as well as depictions of Ukraine that exclude its occupied territories.

Russian military and marching songs – including all versions of Sacred War – are also banned, along with any actions that glorify Russia's war against Ukraine.

The ban applies to everyone present in the restricted areas, regardless of whether they are participating in demonstrations or not. Exceptions are made for diplomatic delegations and others enjoying privileges.

Second World War veterans are exempt from the ban on wearing military uniforms, insignia and St George's ribbons. Flags and ribbons are also permitted as part of wreaths and floral tributes laid at the memorials.

According to the police, symbols previously considered harmless – such as St George's ribbons, military uniforms and Soviet flags – have taken on a fundamentally different meaning in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Authorities note that Russian propaganda directly links the current war to the victory over Nazism in the Second World War, making it impossible to separate historical commemoration from support for aggression.

The "Z" symbol, which appeared on Russian military equipment at the start of the invasion, is regarded as an endorsement of the war and may constitute a criminal offence.

The order emphasises particular concern for Ukrainian refugees living in Berlin, for whom the display of such symbols has a clear intimidating effect.

Similar measures have been introduced annually in Berlin since 2022. In 2023, around 170 items – including pieces of uniform, jackets and St George's ribbons – were confiscated near the Treptow Park memorial, and several individuals were detained.

Numerous violations of the ban were recorded in 2023 and 2024, including the wearing of St George's ribbons and the display of Russian flags.

Background:

• In the Estonian city of Narva, which borders Russia, a poster depicting Russian leader Vladimir Putin as Adolf Hitler is planned to be displayed on the wall of the local castle on 9 May.
• Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he will visit Moscow on 9 May and meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin, but will not attend the military parade.

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