Russian and Soviet flags and insignia banned from public Victory Day display in Berlin

A German court has upheld the ban on public display of Soviet and Russian flags and military insignia during the Victory Day events of May 8–9, commemorating the end of World War II in Europe.

On May 5, Berlin police announced that Soviet insignia including the ribbon of St. George would be banned from display at the Tiergarten, Treptower Park, and Schönholzer Heide war memorials. All attendees were warned against singing war songs or making any statements that could be construed to justify or glorify the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The police had also intended to prohibit the display of Ukrainian flags and insignia, but this rule was later successfully contested by the Ukrainian non-profit Vitsche.

Although a separate court decision also lifted the ban on displaying the Russian flags, the police was able to overturn that ruling. On May 8, a higher court upheld the prohibition on Russian flags and the St. George ribbon. This decision is final and will remain in force on Victory Day.