UPDATED: 28 People Detained During WWII Commemorations in Ukraine

A total of 28 people have been detained across Ukraine during commemorations for the 73rd anniversary of defeat over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Photo credit: Dmytro Replianchuk / HROMADSKE

One of the biggest organized events was the ‘Immortal Regiment’, a march to remember those killed during the war, which started from Arsenalna Square in central Kyiv. The event was fenced off, with metal detectors and a heavy police presence surrounding the procession.

Photo credit: Dmytro Replianchuk / HROMADSKE

Around 2,000 law enforcement officers were reportedly present during the march. Earlier reports estimated 20,000 police and national guard officers would be overseeing Victory Day commemorations across the country on May 8 and 9.

Approximately 50 representatives of different right-wing radical movements, including C14, were present for the procession in Kyiv.

Photo credit: Dmytro Replianchuk / HROMADSKE

No major clashes between nationalist groups and police took place. However, the coordinator of right-wing radical group C14, Sergei Mazur, who police say broke one of the metal barricades march near Arsenalna metro station, was among the six people detained in Kyiv. He was later released.

Photo credit: Dmytro Replianchuk / HROMADSKE

A man with a rifle was also detained. One person had received light bodily injuries during the march.

Photo credit: Dmytro Replianchuk / HROMADSKE

Police also detained Elena Berezhna, mother of deceased Party of Regions deputy Iryna Berezhna, for displaying a St. George ribbon, which is seen as a symbol of Russian aggression and was banned in Ukraine last year. According to police, she tried to resist when they began to detain her. She is expected to be released.

Berezhna was among 10 people detained for using prohibited Soviet and communist symbols.

Law enforcement officers have opened five criminal cases following today’s commemorative events, four of them for "manufacturing and spreading communist and Nazi symbols," another for "intentional light bodily harm."