Putin's man in Svalbard moves Victory Day celebration to Western standard

General Consul Andrei Chemerilo laid down flowers at two memorial sites, in Barentsburg and the abandoned mining town of Pyramiden.

With him was a group of about 40 people, among them Ildar Neverov, the general director of the local mining company Arktikugol, photos posted on Telegram show.

Chemerilo devoted his speech to locals who lost their lives during the war and "fighters against Fascism."

"It is our duty to honour the victors of this war, preserve the historical truth about the war and honour fighters against Fascism irrespectively of their national adherence," the diplomat said. 

Most of the people that attended the event were employees at the General Consulate, the local research center and the mining company. Many of them carried flags, among them the flags of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation, Norway, as well as the company flag of Arktikugol.

This year's victory day celebration did not include any militaristic parades like in 2023. Nor did it include separatist flags of Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia, like in Pyramiden in 2023.

The General Consulate in Barentsburg has not provided any explanation why it decided to move this year's celebration to May 8, the day of victory celebration in Norway and the rest of Europe. 

All of Russia celebrates war victory on May 9. Also the Russian General Consulate in Kirkenes, the Norwegian border town, this year had its celebration on May 9.

The Barents Observer asked Nikolai Konygin, General Consul in Kirkenes, why his colleague in Barentsburg has moved celebrations to May 8, while he and his staff continues to celebrate on May 9.

"I do answer questions from the Barents Observer," the diplomat said.