In the center of the American capital, Washington, on May 3, the Russians organized a march of the so-called “Immortal Regiment.” In response, Ukrainians and US citizens held a protest to remind the world of the continuation of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
This is reported by a correspondent of Suspilny.
It is noted that the propaganda march took place near the World War II Memorial in Washington. Russian citizens wearing Soviet symbols gathered to honor the memory of relatives who fought during World War II, which in Russian historiography is called the ” Great Patriotic War .” A term in Soviet and Russian history that refers to the fighting of 1941-1945 — from the attack of Nazi Germany on the USSR to its surrender. With this term, Russian propagandists ignore the fact that World War II began in September 1939 — from the moment Germany and the USSR attacked Poland on the basis of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. “.
Citizens of the Russian Federation gathered near the World War II Memorial to hold the “Immortal Regiment” event. Social News/Tetyana Kozyreva
Ukrainian and American activists did not leave this event without attention – they gathered near the memorial with Ukrainian and US flags to protest against the march.
“A bunch of idiots. Sorry to be so blunt, but these people are just ignorant. They're spreading propaganda. I see the Russian flag as if it were a Soviet flag — that's not offensive enough. They don't even hide that they support this brutal annexation and war. To see this in Washington and the capital of the free world is a shame, an absolute shame. And it saddens me to see so many people support an authoritarian regime that is taking over another country,” said student and Ukrainian counter-protest participant Carter Smith.
Ukrainians and US citizens protested against the “Immortal Regiment” march in Washington. Social News/Tetyana Kozyreva
Security during the march and protest was monitored by several US federal agencies: the police, the National Guard, as well as representatives of the Department of Justice.
A woman holds a poster reading “Cooking Together” during a protest against the “Immortal Regiment” march in Washington. Social News/Tetyana Kozyreva
In general, the actions of the “Immortal Regiment” that take place in Russia and abroad are considered propaganda events controlled and sponsored by the Kremlin.
However, as reported by British intelligence, these marches were not held in Russia in 2023-2024. One of the reasons for this was possible “discontent” at such events due to the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine.
Abroad, Russian activists organize these actions every year in early May. However, in Washington, the “Immortal Regiment” march was not held since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine until May 3, 2025, when the action was announced again.