President Leads Victory Day March in Moldova

The pro-Russian President of Moldova, Igor Dodon, and supporters of the Socialist Party on Thursday led a march to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Red Army victory over Nazi Germany and the end of World War II.

"It must be an equal celebration for everybody. Victory Day is a celebration of all citizens in Moldova," Dodon said.

The Socialists' Youth Guard' hold a huge banner with the Russian ribbon of Saint George. Photo: BIRN/Madalin Necsutu

Despite those words, hundreds of Socialist Party flags were present in the crowd, carried by members of youth wing of the party, along with a 50-metre-long banner depicting the colours of St George, a Russian military emblem.

The Socialists also organised an "Immortal Regiment" comprising teenagers dressed in military uniforms and carrying medieval Moldovan battle flags as well as Soviet Red Army flags and modern flags of Moldova.

The Immortal Regiment formed by teenagers dressed in Red Army military uniforms. Photo: BIRN/Madalin Necsutu

Leading the parade in Chisinau were President Dodon, the Russian ambassador, Oleg Vasnetov, the Belarus ambassador, Sergei Cichuk, Socialist leader Zinaida Greceanii and other party deputies.

The march was coordinated by Socialist deputies using walkie-talkies. A group of primary school children was brought in to march in miniature Soviet uniforms.

World War II ended with the USSR detaching Moldova from Romania and incorporating it into the Soviet Union. It declared independence in 1991 and has remained divided ever since between groups supporting Russia and West, with some also calling for reunion with Romania.

Old Soviet models of cars kept by nostalgics in their garages. Photo: BIRN/Madalin Necsutu

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