A coalition of 38 Ukrainian migrant and refugee associations and platforms in Spain signed an open letter addressed to the Madrid regional government and additional organizations. The letter concerns the annual March of the Immortal Regiment, a march aligned with pro-Russian messaging that calls for scrutiny and potential action from authorities in Madrid.
The event, organized by groups viewed as close to Russia’s Moscow diplomatic circle, is linked to commemorations tied to World War II. While the official wartime anniversary is celebrated on May 9, the Madrid march occurred on a Sunday and began at Atocha station. It coincided with the 78th anniversary of a pivotal moment in World War II, which has become a reference point in current political narratives.
Since the previous year, Madrid’s police have prepared a dedicated security operation intended to limit clashes and heated exchanges between Russian and Ukrainian participants during the event.
misrepresentation
The Ukrainian letter asserts that the march has been used by the Russian government to misstate the current nature of the war of aggression against Ukraine. Ukrainians argue that the event conveys a symbol that has repeatedly been employed to justify the invasion. Protesters wearing Saint George ribbons, as well as similarly colored symbols associated with Russian military actions, have been observed at the gathering.
The signatories condemn what they describe as state propaganda, misinformation, and deliberate distortion. They view this as a form of hybrid warfare aimed at shaping perceptions of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The note contends that the distortion seeks to leverage memories of past victories to justify ongoing actions, referencing historical figures in a way that critics say amplifies support for aggression.
Concern is also expressed about the reach of Vladimir Putin’s messaging, which is said to permeate schools and government offices, potentially influencing broadcasts and social narratives across networks.
Petition to Madrid
Anton Geraschenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, expressed disappointment on social media that the Spanish government allowed the “Russian community in Madrid” to organize the Immortal Regiment march. He characterized the event as a component of official Russian war propaganda and as a means to bolster support for the conflict. The Ukrainian side then asked leaders such as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida to discourage the spread of what they describe as toxic Russian narratives.
The Madrid protest note also highlighted participation by Ukrainian Catalan associations, including Barcelona-based Txervona Kalyna and Berehynia, as well as Tarragona’s Khortytsya platform. Basque groups, such as the Sociocultural Association for Ukraine-Euskadi Development Cooperation, were mentioned as well, signaling a broad regional response to the march [citation].
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