Russian Ambassador Commemorates Soviet Victory Over Nazi Germany on 85th Anniversary

Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev commemorated the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during a ceremony at the Russian embassy in Washington on June 22, marking the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow. The event took place in the embassy's Georgievsky Hall at precisely 9:00 p.m. local time, coinciding with the moment Nazi Germany launched its invasion of the Soviet Union 85 years earlier. Darchiev addressed diplomats, family members, and invited compatriots, emphasizing that the Soviet people prevailed because they were "stronger in spirit" and fought for the fundamental right to "live freely and determine their own destiny sovereignly." The ambassador noted that the Soviet Union, unlike other European nations that capitulated to Nazi forces, mounted heroic and relentless resistance from the opening moments of the invasion, fighting without surrendering until victory was achieved. He highlighted the sacrifices of the Red Army and the entire Soviet population, drawing parallels to the legendary defenders of the Brest Fortress as examples of unwavering commitment. The commemoration underscored the importance of remembering those who died defending their homeland against what Darchiev referred to as "the brown plague" and the forces of "evil and misanthropy" that threatened the Soviet Union alongside Nazi Germany's European allies.