9 May 2022, Berlin

On 9 May, Russia marks "Victory Day"; a tradition originally meant to honour the Soviet soldiers who died during WWII. But in 2022, the traditional march in Berlin took place in a context wavering between remembrance and propaganda. A handful of pro-Ukrainian activists attempted to counter the Russian march with a small memorial space they installed opposite the Soviet memorial in Berlin's Tiergarten park.

Roses bearing the inscription "No to war" at the Soviet Memorial in Treptower Park.
Roses bearing the inscription "No to war" at the Soviet Memorial in Treptower Park.
Russian-Germans and Russian citizens living in Germany visit the Memorial to the Soviet army in Treptower Park, Berlin, a day before "Victory Day" on 9 May.
Russian-Germans and Russian citizens living in Germany visit the Memorial to the Soviet army in Treptower Park, Berlin, a day before "Victory Day" on 9 May.
The "Victory Day" parade by Russians and Russo-German citizens on the main avenue of Tiergarten Park, behind the Brandenburg Gate.
The "Victory Day" parade by Russians and Russo-German citizens on the main avenue of Tiergarten Park, behind the Brandenburg Gate.
A participant of the "Victory Day" parade. Participants traditionally parade with flowers and portraits of their family members having fought in WW2.
A participant of the "Victory Day" parade. Participants traditionally parade with flowers and portraits of their family members having fought in WW2.
Participants of the Russian "Victory Day" parade visit the Soviet memorial in Tiergarten Park. Some wear St George's ribbons, which have been banned by Berlin authorities for the day.
Participants of the Russian "Victory Day" parade visit the Soviet memorial in Tiergarten Park. Some wear St George's ribbons, which have been banned by Berlin authorities for the day.
Ukrainian and Russian anti-war activists listen to a musical performance and the pro-Ukrainian space in Tiergarten Park.
Ukrainian and Russian anti-war activists listen to a musical performance and the pro-Ukrainian space in Tiergarten Park.
A photo exhibition in the pro-Ukrainian space in Tiergarten Park on the victims of the Soviet regimes.
A photo exhibition in the pro-Ukrainian space in Tiergarten Park on the victims of the Soviet regimes.
Close-up of the exhibition in Tiergarten Park.
Close-up of the exhibition in Tiergarten Park.
"No to war": an embroidery on the bag of a Russian anti-war activist helping at the small pro-Ukrainian space opposite the Soviet memorial in Tiergarten Park.
"No to war": an embroidery on the bag of a Russian anti-war activist helping at the small pro-Ukrainian space opposite the Soviet memorial in Tiergarten Park.
A passer-by speaks to Russian anti-war activist Liuba at the Ukrainian space.
A passer-by speaks to Russian anti-war activist Liuba at the Ukrainian space.
Painting activities at the Ukrainian space in Tiergarten Park.
Painting activities at the Ukrainian space in Tiergarten Park.
An Austrian activist at the Ukrainian stall shows a photo of himself taken at the Soviet memorial in Tiergarten park when Russia invaded Ukraine.
An Austrian activist at the Ukrainian stall shows a photo of himself taken at the Soviet memorial in Tiergarten park when Russia invaded Ukraine.