Dozens of Lebanese and Russians residing in Lebanon demonstrated in Beirut on May 8, 2022, to commemorate the victory of Russia and its allies against Nazi Germany in 1945. (Credit: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)
BEIRUT — Dozens of Lebanese and Russians residing in Lebanon demonstrated on Sunday to commemorate the May 8, 1945, Russian victory over Nazi Germany during World War II.
Here’s what we know:
• Lebanese and Russian flags in hand, some brandishing anti-fascist slogans, the demonstrators marched through several of Beirut’s streets to express their support for Moscow.
• On Sunday, Russian president Vladimir Putin said “as in 1945, victory will be ours,” drawing comparisons between World War II and the Russian invasion of Ukraine during his May 8 address. On Monday, a Russian military parade is scheduled in commemoration of the historic victory while Russia is engaged in an invasion of Ukraine since Feb. 24 which has caused thousands of deaths and injuries. Moscow’s justification of the invasion came under the pretext of “demilitarizing” and “denazifying” Ukraine.