WW2 commemorations at Soviet monument in Riga’s Victory Park as tensions rise over Ukraine war
June 29, 2022

Police tape and barricades covered in the Ukrainian and Latvian flags surround Soviet-era monuments as people gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.

On May 8 and 9, the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) served as a gathering spot for two separate and incompatible commemorations of the end of the second World War. May 8 is Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), celebrated through Europe and the US, and May 9 is Victory Day, a Russian holiday marking the victory over the Germans. 

The Russian Victory Day gathering has been contentious since Latvia’s independence; most Latvians view it as a celebration of the Soviet occupation of Latvia. Because of this and because of rising tensions throughout Europe over Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government banned Russian gatherings on May 9 and forbade any displays of Russian nationalism. In previous years, the Russian holiday saw thousands gathered at the base of the monument, laying flowers on the ground, and displaying Russian patriotic symbols.

This year, the monument, which features a traditional Soviet Motherland figure, soldiers, and a tall tower, were surrounded by police barricades decorated with the Latvian and Ukrainian flags and images of the war in Ukraine were put on display. On May 8, people could approach the monument directly, but on May 9, Russians were held back from the monument by police and could not personally lay flowers at the base of the monument. The mood on May 8 was somber, but tensions were high on May 9 as the Russian arrived but couldn’t commemorate Victory Day as they have for decades. 

UPDATE: Starting 22 August 2022, the Riga government began the destruction of this monument, part of a wave of Soviet monument removal throughout the Baltics. The soldiers were removed on Aug. 23, and the 260-foot obelisk tower was toppled on Aug. 25. 

Images showing the atrocities committed by Russia in their recent invasion of Ukraine are on display in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) as people gather to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Police tape and barricades covered in the Ukrainian and Latvian flags surround Soviet-era monuments as people gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
A sign reading "No to war" in Russian is posted on a police barricade covered in Latvian flags surrounding Soviet-era monuments in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Thousands of flowers lay at the base of Soviet-era monuments as people gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Police tape and barricades covered in the Ukrainian and Latvian flags surround Soviet-era monuments as people gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
People gather in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) to lay flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) in Riga, Latvia, on Sun., May 8, 2022. Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II. The following day, Aug. 9, is Victory Day, which is celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the Victory Day holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. But today, on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
A pro-Ukraine demonstrator holds a Ukrainian flag as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Police lay flowers around the monument as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
A crowd surrounds as police confront a Russian man wearing a Russia jacket as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. The Russian man eventually displayed his Russian passport and explained that that was his only jacket, knowing that displays of the Russian flag had been forbidden. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Flowers and mementos lay on police barricades as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
Ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
A destroyed flower lays on the ground as ethnic Russians and pro-Russian Latvians gathered in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks; Парк Победы) and laid flowers at the foot of Soviet-era monuments in the park on Victory Day in Riga, Latvia, on Mon., May 9, 2022. Victory Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in Russia and Russian enclaves around the world as a commemoration of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany ending World War II, but in Latvia it is viewed by non-Russians as a symbol of Soviet occupation of their country. In previous years, Russians in Riga gather at the Soviet-era monument to mark the holiday, but this year, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Riga government imposed substantial restrictions on pro-Russian gatherings and symbols in the city and during the holiday. The statues at the monument were surrounded by barricades covered in Latvian and Ukrainian flags, police barricades prevented people from approaching the monuments, images showing the horrors of the war in Ukraine were on display, and people were not allowed to lay flowers at the monument themselves, instead giving them to police officers to lay at the foot of the monuments. Many of the Russians who went to the monument on this day argued with police about the restrictions, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators brought the Ukraine flag to protest Russia's actions in the country. The previous day, Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a holiday not celebrated by Russians, people were allowed to directly approach the steps of the monument and lay flowers themselves.
All content © 2005-2024 M. Scott Brauer