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In some Eastern European countries, provocations have accompanied May 9th celebrations, with reports of “thugs” being hired by pro-Putin groups to instigate violence in Ukraine this year.

The Kremlin’s preference for bare-knuckled “soft-power” initiatives seems to have been exported to Canada this year.

In Ottawa, dozens of Soviet flags fluttered along the roadway leading to the Canadian War Museum on May 9, as over 300 neo-Stalinist activists joined the global festivities led by Vladimir Putin, to pray to the piousness of Stalin’s glory.

The festival of Soviet nostalgia might usually be dismissed as naked Kremlin propaganda, contained to a group of neo-Stalinst buffoons. However, according to witnesses, the parade streamed off the street and into the Canadian War Museum and then, allegedly, took a violent turn.

The group gathered in a Second World War dedicated hall and began singing Soviet anthems and waving their Soviet flags. Russian diplomatic staff were apparently in attendance.

At one point, a member of the Ukrainian community took a Ukrainian flag out of his pocket and silently lifted it above his head. According to the gentleman, a number of participants around him violently tackled him and then proceeded to drag him out of the museum.

Spokesmen for the Canadian War Museum have confirmed that a report has been filed with the Ottawa Police regarding an incident that took place on May 9. The Ukrainian community member who was assaulted has also filed reports with both the RCMP and Ottawa Police Service.