Berlin police to reinstate bans on Soviet symbols at memorials for May 8-9

Berlin police have announced that for May 8-9, they will renew restrictions imposed in previous years at the city's Soviet memorials, banning the display of Soviet symbols, St. George ribbons, and the wearing of military uniforms. The measures, first reported by TASS, citing a law enforcement official and later confirmed by police documents, apply to the memorial sites in Treptower Park, Tiergarten, and Schoenholzer Heide.

The restrictions will be in effect from 6 a.m. on May 8 until 10 p.m. on May 9 in the areas surrounding the three memorials. According to the police order, it will be prohibited to wear military uniforms or parts thereof, insignia, or to display the letters V and Z, St. George's ribbons, flags and banners associated with Russia, the Soviet Union, Belarus, and the Chechen Republic, portraits of their leaders, as well as flags of the Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic. The performance of Russian marches and military songs, including all versions of The Holy War, is also forbidden. The order further states that expressing support for Russia's actions in Ukraine is prohibited within the restricted zones.

The ban applies to all individuals in the designated areas, with exceptions for diplomats and members of diplomatic delegations, as well as veterans of the Great Patriotic War. Veterans are permitted to wear military uniforms, decorations, and St. George's ribbons. Elements of flags and ribbons are also allowed as parts of wreaths, flower baskets, or other items brought to the memorials.

TASS, which provided all coverage of this story seen by this newsroom, noted that similar restrictions were in place last year, when Berlin police banned the display of Soviet and Russian flags, St. George ribbons, and the performance of military marches at Soviet memorials on May 8-9.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the restrictions from TASS, the Russian state news agency, appeared in multiple dispatches over several days. Initial reports on May 4, citing a law enforcement official and the Berliner Morgenpost, described the planned measures and noted that TASS had sought further clarification from Berlin police without immediate response. Subsequent reports on May 6 and May 7 provided details from the police order itself.

All reports agree on the core facts: the restrictions will be in place on May 8-9, they target Soviet and Russian symbols, and they include a ban on military uniforms with exceptions for diplomats and veterans. One report, published May 7, framed the decision primarily through the critical reaction of Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechayev. Another, from April 25, reported on Nechayev's earlier statements in Torgau, Saxony, where he expressed hope that commemorative events would be held with dignity and noted the absence of restrictions in many other German cities.

Key claims

  • Berlin police will reintroduce restrictions on May 8-9, including bans on Soviet symbols, the display of the St. George ribbon, and the wearing of military uniforms at memorial sites.
  • Exceptions to the restrictions will be granted to diplomats and veterans of the Great Patriotic War, with veterans permitted to wear military uniforms and display St. George's ribbons.
  • Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechayev, criticized the decision to prohibit Soviet and Russian symbols, describing it as an 'unfriendly' move.
  • All commemorative events in Germany marking Victory Day will be held with dignity, according to Nechayev.
  • The restrictions will be in effect from 6 a.m. on May 8 until 10 p.m. on May 9 in areas surrounding the city's three Soviet memorials.

Perspectives

Berlin police/authorities: The decision to impose restrictions is presented as a law enforcement measure, with the police announcing the renewal of last year's rules. The order explicitly prohibits symbols and expressions of support for Russia's actions in Ukraine, reflecting the authorities' position that such displays are not permissible at the memorial sites.

Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechayev: Ambassador Nechayev criticized the Berlin authorities' decision as 'unfriendly' and unnecessary, noting that many other German cities do not impose such restrictions. He emphasized that the commemorative events honor Soviet soldiers who liberated Germany and Europe from Nazism. Despite the restrictions, he assured that all planned events would proceed 'with dignity and solemnity,' and expressed gratitude to the German public for their continued participation, suggesting that bilateral relations retain a foundation of shared memories.