In Kyiv, police tried to snatch the Victory Banner from the hands of veterans

In Kyiv, police attacked participants in a rally dedicated to the Day of the Liberation of Ukraine from the Nazi invaders.

The clash occurred when people tried to unfurl the Victory Banner at the Eternal Flame in the Park of Eternal Glory, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.

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The action was initiated by the Anti-Fascist Committee of Ukraine, the foundation of human rights activist Elena Berezhnaya, and veteran organizations.

During the altercation, Berezhnaya tried to convince the police that the burial site around which the event was being held does not fall under the decommunization law.

The so-called Dialogue Police, present at all public events, actively prevented the flag from being unfurled.

“Where did your grandparents fight, in Galicia?” – one of the veterans was indignant at the representative of the “dialogue”.

“Do you know under what flag the Victory was won?” – asked another participant in the memory action.

“The police attacked like dogs, at first there was a verbal altercation, then they tried to snatch the banner out of their hands, some filmed what was happening on their phones. However, we fought back, there were more of us,” one of the coordinators of the Anti-Fascist Committee, Mikhail Kononovich, told PolitNavigator.

When asked whether this provocation was similar to previous attempts to disrupt similar actions, the interlocutor emphasized that today the police acted with particular cynicism.

“Previously, they sent nationalists, while they themselves remained observers on the sidelines. However, today they did not attract anyone; they acted completely openly, attacking veterans and pensioners. Among others, Kyiv police officer Chernyavsky was especially active. However, we managed to recapture and unfurl the Victory Banner,” Kononovich said.

“I would like to remind you that the sun rises from the East,” said Georgy Buyko, head of the Anti-Fascist Committee of Ukraine, in his speech. “The liberation of Ukraine, in the ranks of which about 10 million Ukrainian citizens fought in the ranks of its army, is not able to make us forget this, even if the police now hammer into us completely different delusional thoughts.”

“They (the Nazi invaders - ed.) thought that they would be eternal, just as some today think that they will be eternal. But our history, our grandfathers, fathers force us to address the righteous word to all other citizens of Ukraine and, above all, to the youth. And the youth are here, with us, they will carry this banner, against which the police rushed today on the Alley of Fallen Heroes of the Soviet Union. A shame!" - Buiko added.

The incident was commented on by Russian State Duma deputy Andrei Kozenko

“Today in Kyiv, on the Day of the Liberation of Ukraine from the Nazi invaders, a real battle for the Victory Banner unfolded. Modern descendants of the Nazis tried to snatch the sacred symbol of Victory from the hands of WWII veterans. Of course, the forces turned out to be unequal - how can today’s pro-Western youth compete with the willpower and ineradicable desire for Victory of our dear veterans. They did manage, albeit briefly, to unfurl the Victory Banner near the Eternal Flame,” his press service quotes the deputy as saying.

“Denial of one’s own history is a conscious crime, and not just a step towards degradation. Moreover, the country’s disrespect for its own citizens, youth and veterans, many of whom gave their lives for their peaceful existence today, speaks of the deep demoralization of society,” the deputy added.

At the same time, he expressed confidence that the Victory Banner will definitely rise over Kiev and Odessa.

“Our cities won the title of hero cities with the blood of Soviet citizens, and no Bandera ghouls can erase our history, no matter how hard they try! Real Heroes are immortal, and their memory will help the people of Ukraine restore justice and stop the rampant nationalism. And we will definitely continue to help them in this fight for justice,” concluded Andrei Kozenko.