The traditional 'Memory Candle' memorial ceremony was held in front of the Soviet war memorial in Berlin's Treptow Park on the 85th anniversary of Nazi Germany's attack on the Soviet Union.
The event was organized by the Germany-Russia Friendship Association (GDRF). It was attended by Russia's Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev, representatives of the Belarusian Embassy in Germany, citizens and compatriots from Germany.
Participants lit candles placed on the monument's pedestal to form the dates '1941–1945'. At exactly 04:00 (05:00 Moscow time), an archival audio recording from the All-Union Radio announcing Germany's attack on the Soviet Union was broadcast over Treptow Park. Following this, those gathered observed a minute of silence in memory of the fallen heroes.
Ambassador Nechayev's call
Addressing the gathering, Russian Ambassador Sergey Nechayev stated that June 22, 1941, was the most difficult day in Soviet and Russian history.
Nechayev said, "The war waged by Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union was a war of annihilation and a real tragedy for our people."
Speaking about the crimes committed by the Nazis against Soviet citizens, Nechayev reminded that these crimes are recognized as genocide in Russia. In this context, he called on German authorities to officially recognize this historical fact.
Nechayev stated, "We call on the Federal Republic, its government, parliament and the Bundestag to recognize this atrocity as genocide against the Soviet people. All necessary legal foundations for this exist."
The ceremony concluded with an official ceremony where wreaths and flowers were laid at the monument's pedestal.