On a tension-filled Thursday in Warsaw, Russian Ambassador Sergei Andreev faced vocal opposition during his wreath-laying ceremony at the Mausoleum of the Soviet Soldiers Cemetery. The event, timed with Russia’s commemoration of the end of World War II on May 9, was marked by protests against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Prior to Andreev’s arrival, women dressed in white gowns splattered with red dye arrived near the site. Their dresses bore the names of Ukrainian cities destroyed by Russian forces, and their faces were painted with simulated wounds to symbolize the suffering caused by the conflict.
As Andreev approached the cemetery, the Ukrainian protesters moved towards him and began chanting accusations of terrorism against Russia, labeling the diplomats “terrorists!”
The morning of the ambassador’s visit also saw unsettling scenes at the mausoleum. Unknown perpetrators scattered bones and spilled red paint at the site, an act of vandalism that necessitated a thorough cleaning of the area before the official proceedings could take place.
The Russian ambassador was surrounded by participants of a small pro-Russian gathering that formed a protective cordon around him, assisting him in reaching the spot where the wreath was laid.
Andreev comments on detained soldier and defector judge
Adding to the day’s controversies, Andreev commented on the recent arrest of a 41-year-old Russian soldier who had illegally crossed into Poland from Belarus. Polish border guards detained the soldier on Wednesday, prompting Andreev to send a diplomatic note to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify media reports about the incident.
The ambassador also addressed inquiries about defector Judge Tomasz Szmydt, who sought protection from Belarusian authorities citing persecution in Poland due to his “independent political stance.” Andreev distanced himself from Szmydt, claiming no knowledge or recollection of ever meeting him.
TVP World reporter, Owidiusz Nicieja, was on-site reporting on the event.
As Andreev approached the cemetery, the Ukrainian protesters moved towards him and began chanting accusations of terrorism against Russia, labeling the diplomats “terrorists!”
The morning of the ambassador’s visit also saw unsettling scenes at the mausoleum. Unknown perpetrators scattered bones and spilled red paint at the site, an act of vandalism that necessitated a thorough cleaning of the area before the official proceedings could take place.
The Russian ambassador was surrounded by participants of a small pro-Russian gathering that formed a protective cordon around him, assisting him in reaching the spot where the wreath was laid.
Andreev comments on detained soldier and defector judge
Adding to the day’s controversies, Andreev commented on the recent arrest of a 41-year-old Russian soldier who had illegally crossed into Poland from Belarus. Polish border guards detained the soldier on Wednesday, prompting Andreev to send a diplomatic note to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify media reports about the incident.
The ambassador also addressed inquiries about defector Judge Tomasz Szmydt, who sought protection from Belarusian authorities citing persecution in Poland due to his “independent political stance.” Andreev distanced himself from Szmydt, claiming no knowledge or recollection of ever meeting him.
TVP World reporter, Owidiusz Nicieja, was on-site reporting on the event.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin and a number of foreign heads of state arrived in Moscow's Red Square for the start of the annual Victory Day parade.
Alongside Putin, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Laos, Guinea-Bissau, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, and Cuba attended the event.
May 7, 1945
On May 7, 1945, at 02:41 in the Allied Expeditionary Force headquarters of General Eisenhower in Reims, France, representatives of Germany signed the unconditional surrender document.
Stalin, however, demanded a re-signing ceremony for the surrender in the German capital, which was under Soviet control. A British aircraft transported a three-person German delegation, led by Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, to Tempelhof Airport in Berlin on May 8, 1945. The prepared document contained the same conditions of unconditional surrender for the German military as agreed the previous day in Reims.
The ceremony took place at the former officer’s casino of the Sapper School in the Karlshorst district of Berlin. In addition to Keitel, representing the main branches of the German armed forces, Hans-Georg von Friedeburg and Air Force General Hans-Jürgen Stumpff signed the surrender.
Marshal Georgy Zhukov acted as the signatory, representing the supreme command of the Soviet armed forces, while the Western Allies entrusted British Air Force General Arthur Tedder with the task. Furthermore, the document was signed as witnesses by the Chief Commander of the American Strategic Air Force, Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, and the Commander of the French 1st Army, Gen. Jean de Lattre de Tassigny (as a witness and recipient of the surrender).
There was procedural confusion regarding the representative of France, who threatened to commit suicide if not allowed to sign the surrender document and if the French flag was not present in the room.
Field Marshal Keitel sarcastically remarked that the French general’s signature should appear on both sides of the document—for both victors and vanquished. In accordance with the agreements in Reims, the surrender document of the Reich came into effect at 23:01 Central European Time.
In the USSR, it was already 1:01. This accounts for the one-day difference in the celebration of Victory Day between Western countries and the Soviet Union, as well as contemporary Russia.
Alongside Putin, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Laos, Guinea-Bissau, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, and Cuba attended the event.
May 7, 1945
On May 7, 1945, at 02:41 in the Allied Expeditionary Force headquarters of General Eisenhower in Reims, France, representatives of Germany signed the unconditional surrender document.
Stalin, however, demanded a re-signing ceremony for the surrender in the German capital, which was under Soviet control. A British aircraft transported a three-person German delegation, led by Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, to Tempelhof Airport in Berlin on May 8, 1945. The prepared document contained the same conditions of unconditional surrender for the German military as agreed the previous day in Reims.
The ceremony took place at the former officer’s casino of the Sapper School in the Karlshorst district of Berlin. In addition to Keitel, representing the main branches of the German armed forces, Hans-Georg von Friedeburg and Air Force General Hans-Jürgen Stumpff signed the surrender.
Marshal Georgy Zhukov acted as the signatory, representing the supreme command of the Soviet armed forces, while the Western Allies entrusted British Air Force General Arthur Tedder with the task. Furthermore, the document was signed as witnesses by the Chief Commander of the American Strategic Air Force, Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, and the Commander of the French 1st Army, Gen. Jean de Lattre de Tassigny (as a witness and recipient of the surrender).
There was procedural confusion regarding the representative of France, who threatened to commit suicide if not allowed to sign the surrender document and if the French flag was not present in the room.
Field Marshal Keitel sarcastically remarked that the French general’s signature should appear on both sides of the document—for both victors and vanquished. In accordance with the agreements in Reims, the surrender document of the Reich came into effect at 23:01 Central European Time.
In the USSR, it was already 1:01. This accounts for the one-day difference in the celebration of Victory Day between Western countries and the Soviet Union, as well as contemporary Russia.
Source: TVP World, reuters, pap
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