Russian and British veterans celebrate together on Victory Day

Victory Day or 9 May marks the Soviet Union's victory over  Nazi Germany in the Second World War (also known as the Great Patriotic War). It was first celebretated in 15 Soviet republics after the adoption of the surrender document on May 8, 1945. The Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May after the signing ceremony in Berlin. The holiday became a non-labour day only in 1965 and only in some of the countries. It is celebrated to commemorate the 28 000 000 (according to different estimates) children, parents, spouses and friends killed in Soviet Union during the World War II.