Pro-Russian separatists marched through the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Monday (9) carrying a huge ribbon of Saint George, a symbol of Russian patriotism.
The demonstration took place on the occasion of the May 9 celebrations, which symbolized the victories over the Nazis in 1945.
Since the early 2000s, thousands of Russians have worn these orange and black striped ribbons in memory of fallen Soviet soldiers who fought the Nazis.
Picture: PAVEL KLIMOV/REUTERS
In Mariupol, the tape was 300 meters long and was carried by a regiment led by separatist leader Denis Pushilin, according to a message posted on Telegram.
An accompanying photo of the publication shows a smiling Pushilin holding a giant ribbon with people who would be the inhabitants of this city, which has suffered fierce fighting since the beginning of Russia’s offensive against Ukraine.
Pushilin also wore a small strip of Saint George in the shape of the letter “Z” on his jacket; this was a sign of recognition of Russian tanks, which became a symbol of the supporters of the offensive.
In this major port city in the southeast of the country, the last Ukrainian defenders are settled in the Azovstal steelworks complex.
source: Noticias
