Belarus marks Victory Day

On May 9, Belarus marks Victory Day - the day when the Nazi Germany was defeated on 1945. Festivities are taking place across the country. At noon, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka led a solemn ceremony to lay flowers to the Victory Monument in Minsk. At 2300, Minskers and guests of the capital city will see fireworks (fireworks will also be in 8 district centers of Minsk reion). More details about the program of festivities can be found here.

Most of Western European countries, the United States and United Kingdom celebrate this day on May 8. Belarus follows the Soviet tradition of marking the victory one day later. During WWII, the Nazi destroyed 209 cities and settlements and over 9000 villages on the territory of Belarus. According to official data, every third Belarusian was killed. Belarusian fought Nazis both on the Eastern and Western fronts. There were over 1.3 million Belarusians or Belarus-born people in the Red Army. Over 400 000 Belarusians partcipated in the guerilla and underground resistance movement.