Austria marks 70th anniversary of end of National Socialist occupation

A number of memorial activities were held in the Austrian capital of Vienna Monday to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the National Socialist occupation at the hands of the Red Army.

Alongside Austrian politicians and other representatives the services also had a notably large contingent from Russia and former Soviet states, with diplomats and numerous representatives from large Russian companies such as Gazprom, VTB Bank, and Sberbank in attendance.

The contingent laid wreathes in remembrance of the Soviet troops during a ceremony at the Soviet War Memorial located at the Schwarzenbergplatz, with attendees later received at the Russian embassy.

A number of Soviet army veterans based in Germany also made the trip to Vienna for the memorial activities, to commemorate the efforts of the fathers and grandfathers.

A number of diplomats from the former Soviet states stressed the importance of the occasion, in freeing Austria from Nazism and fascism, and the relevant participation in the Soviet effort of their own states.

Representatives from a number of Austrian organizations such as the Trade Union Federation (OeGB), Nazi victims associations and resistance groups also participated in the memorial activities. The OeGB conducted a 150 person-strong march that ended at city hall, where a rally was then held to mark the anniversary.