BEIJING - Russian victory over German fascism is celebrated every year on May 9, the day Nazi Germany surrendered in 1945.

At midnight on May 8, 1945, Germany signed the instrument of surrender in Karlshorst, a Berlin suburb, at a ceremony presided over by Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov. The instrument was signed in the presence of representatives from the supreme commands of the Soviet Union, the United States, Britain and France.

Due to time zone differences, it was already well into May 9 in Moscow when Germany's instrument of surrender took force. Therefore, the Soviet Union and European countries situated east of Germany celebrate Victory Day on May 9, whereas Western European countries mark the day as the European Victory Day on May 8.