On May 9, 2015 local Putin supporters together with local far left groups organized “Victory Day Celebration” in Vancouver downtown. Rally gathered up to 100 supporters and just curious spectators. Although officially the rally was advertised as the celebration of the “70th anniversary of the victory over the Nazi Germany by the Allied forces (USSR, USA, Great Britain and the British Commonwealth) in the WWII”, in fact it turned out to be essentially a pro-Putin and anti-Ukrainian gathering. The big part of the meeting was dedicated to disseminating disinformation like the “rise of Nazism in Ukraine” and “Canada supports fascism”.

Most flags and banners displayed communist symbols, anti-American and anti-NATO slogans, as well as modern Russian flag with “Putin is our president!” trademark.

Most attendees of the rally wore the so-called “ribbons of St.George”, which Putins government promotes as the symbol of the Victory over Nazism. It is worth noting that both the origin and historical connection of the symbol to WWII has been disputed in the past. It is also worth noting that in Ukraine the “ribbon of St. George” is considered to be not the symbol of Victory in WWII, but the symbol of Russian aggression, as it is widely used by the members of pro-Russian terrorist groups.

Ukrainian community in Vancouver staged an alternative gathering at the same place to commemorate the Victory over Nazism and to honour the memory of those who died fighting fascism. Activists informed Canadian public about the crucial role of Ukrainians in victory over Nazi Germany and raised awareness about the war raging in Eastern Ukraine.

Here’s the comment from one of the members of the local Ukrainian Community, Alex Luchin (League of Ukrainian Canadians):

“Ukraine was one of the first countries in the world to experience the horrors of the war. Western Ukrainian cities that were under Polish rule at that time were bombarded by German air force on September 1st, 1939, the first day of WWII.

7 millions of Ukrainians fought fascism in the ranks of armies of allied countries- USSR, Poland, Canada, United Kingdom, USA, France, and in the ranks of Ukrainian liberation movement of Ukrainian Insurgent Army. The war took a tremendous toll on Ukraine. At least 5.4 million of Ukrainians perished (according to some estimates- 8 millions). The war left tens of thousands orphans, millions lost their homes.

Sadly now, 70 years after WWII ended, the war once again came to Ukrainian land. This time it came from our northern neighbour where the new Fuhrer emerged. Putin’s regime made millions of people hostages of its imperial ambitions. The threat of the new war is looming over Europe once again.”