Russian ambassador marks 80th anniversary of WWII end in Berlin

Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, on Friday laid wreaths at Soviet memorials in Berlin to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Nechayev visited both the huge memorial in Treptower Park, in the former East Berlin, and the site in Tiergarten near the Brandenburg Gate, which was part of the city's western sector.

On Thursday, the ambassador laid a wreath at the Schönholzer Heide memorial in northern Berlin, the site of a huge Soviet cemetery.

In Russia, the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany is commemorated on May 9, while in Europe the war's end is celebrated on May 8.

The Russian ambassador was accompanied by representatives of other states that were once Soviet republics, as well as bodyguards.

The diplomat was wearing the so-called St. George's ribbon on his lapel, which is considered a symbol of Russian nationalism.

Ribbon banned, but not for diplomats

The Berlin police had banned the wearing of the ribbon, as well as the display of other pro-Russian flags and symbols, near the Soviet memorials on both days of the commemoration.

However, diplomats and veterans of the Allied powers of World War II are exempt from these restrictions.

The ambassador's actions came as Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the anniversary of the war's end with a massive military parade in Moscow.

Pro-Russian biker group present

Some members of the pro-Russian Night Wolves biker gang were also seen at the Treptow memorial.

A small group laid a wreath there in the morning. Following police instructions, they removed their vests with insignia, according to a police spokeswoman.

Police said they expected most of the group's 100 participants in the Tiergarten at midday. They were due to park their motorcycles near the park in central Berlin and proceed to the memorial in groups of eight to 10 people.

The Night Wolves, seen as extreme nationalists, are considered supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.

On Thursday, the bikers had visited two Soviet memorial sites in the state of Brandenburg surrounding Berlin.

On Friday, the police once again drew attention to the regulations for "dignified commemoration" at the memorials and announced that they would enforce them "consistently."