Thousands of people participated in the Victory March in Chisinau. Pro-Russians wore symbols banned by law: “We are proud!”
Thousands of people participated on Saturday, May 9, in the center of Chisinau, in the Victory March organized by pro-Russian forces from the Republic of Moldova. The demonstration was marked by the presence of symbols prohibited by law and controversial statements coming from the appointed ambassador of the Russian Federation in Chisinau, Oleg Ozerov.
Thousands of people took part in the march on Saturday. PHOTO: YouTube video capture
The participants started from the center of the capital towards the Memorial Complex “Eternity”, in a march accompanied by brass bands and Soviet military songs.
Many of them wore the “Saint George” ribbon on their chests, banned in the Republic of Moldova from 2022, along with the symbols “Z” and “V”, considered associated with Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, reports Newsmaker.md.
According to Moldovan legislation, displaying these symbols is punishable by fines of up to 9,000 lei for natural persons and up to 18,000 lei for legal entities.
The demonstration was attended by several pro-Russian political leaders, including the former president of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Dodon, the vice-president of the Parliament Vlad Bătrîncea, the socialist deputy and former prime minister Zinaida Greceanîi, the communist deputy Diana Caraman, but also the leader of the formation “The Future of Moldova”, former prime minister Vasile Tarlev.
Towards the end of the march, the column was joined by the ambassador-designate of the Russian Federation in Chisinau, Oleg Ozerov, who in turn wore the forbidden ribbon.
Some participants were dressed in Soviet military uniforms and sang World War II-era songs, including the famous “Katiusha”.
Among the chanted slogans were “Victory!”, “Hurrah-Hurrah-Hurrah!”, “We are the descendants of Victory!” and “We remember, we are proud!”.
Ambassador Oleg Ozerov: Victory Day remains “a holy holiday” for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova
The leader of the Socialist Party, Igor Dodon, claimed that they participated in the event “tens of thousands of people”, despite the restrictions imposed by the authorities.
In a reaction to the local press, the representatives of the Government in Chisinau called for responsibility and asked politicians to avoid messages that can amplify the divisions in society.
In parallel with this demonstration, the Moldovan authorities organized in the center of the capital “European Town”, an event dedicated to Europe Day, which is to end with a concert in the Grand National Assembly Square.
Russia's ambassador-designate Oleg Ozerov told the official Russian news agency TASS that Victory Day remains “a holy feast” for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova.
“What I see today proves that Victory Day is a holy day not only for the citizens of Russia, but also for the citizens of other states, primarily from the post-Soviet space”, said the diplomat.
He went further, stating that the holiday will continue to be celebrated “another 1,500 years”, because, in his opinion, it is part of the deep identity of the peoples of the former Soviet space.
The ceremony in Moscow, much shorter than in previous years
Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over a considerably smaller Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square on Saturday. The ceremony lasted only 45 minutes, compared to about an hour and a half in previous years. The change was made amid security concerns, despite a last-minute truce, reports the international press.
