Russian exiles warn that the Kremlin is misusing the commemoration of the victims of the Second World War for propaganda. The rallies of the so-called Immortal Regiment taking place in Geneva and Basel on Friday and Saturday are affected.

The association ‘Russia of the Future – Switzerland’, which was founded by exiled Russians in Switzerland, says that “this action has now been completely appropriated by the Kremlin”.

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What once began as a civil society initiative for family commemoration now serves as an “instrument of hybrid influence to legitimise Russian aggression against Ukraine”.

Participants in the rallies for the ‘Immortal Regiment’ often use symbols such as the St George’s Ribbon, which are directly linked to the war crimes in Ukraine and Russian state ideology.

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Militaristic rallies right next to the ‘Broken Chair’ exhibit in Geneva – a symbol for the victims of war violence – are also an affront to Switzerland’s humanitarian values, the group added.

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Moscow is using these events to create an image of united support for the war among Russians living in Switzerland, warns Russia of the Future – Switzerland. This does not correspond to reality and is an instrumentalisation of the diaspora, the Russian exile community.

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