Published on: 2026-05-08
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Let’s explain why the act of Germany’s capitulation was signed twice, how an economist’s diploma helped to get into a historical event, and why Victory Day in Russia is celebrated on May 9.
On May 8, 1945, in the center of Europe, in the heart of defeated Berlin, the Act of Unconditional Surrender of the Armed Forces of Nazi Germany was signed, marking the advent of such a long-awaited peace.
At the same time, the historical event was attended by Arkady Pashenine, a graduate of the Moscow Engineering and Economic Institute (today – the State University of Management), who at that time was a personal assistant to Lieutenant General Fyodor Bokov.
Capitulation of Germany. Act One. May 7
The first act of unconditional surrender of Germany was signed on May 7, 1945, in Reims by representatives of Germany, the USSR, and the Anglo-American side, with a representative of France as a witness. At the same time, Major General Ivan Susloparov, acting on behalf of the USSR, signed the act with a reservation: the document does not exclude the possibility of signing another act at the request of one of the allied countries.
On May 8, the leaders of the USA, Great Britain, and France announced the victory over Germany. However, the Soviet government demanded a new signing – the Reims act had been violated, and the fighting on the Soviet-German front continued.
“A treaty signed in Reims cannot be canceled, but it cannot be recognized either. Capitulation must be regarded as the most important historical act and accepted not on the territory of the victors, but there, from where the fascist aggression came — in Berlin, and not unilaterally, but necessarily with the approval of the command of all the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition,” said Joseph Stalin.
Allies agreed with the arguments and already on the evening of May 8, a ceremony for the signing of the final Act of unconditional capitulation of Germany and its armed forces took place in Berlin.
Graduate of GUU at the signing of the final act of Germany’s capitulation
The historical event took place at the headquarters of the 5th Shock Army, located in the Karlshorst area of the eastern part of Berlin. Delegations from the countries arrived at Tempelhof Airport. Among those meeting was a member of the Military Council of the army, Lieutenant General Fyodor Bokov, along with his assistants, including the MIÉI (GUE) graduate Arkady Pasheniny.
Arkady was helped to get this position by an economist’s diploma. The lieutenant general was recruiting assistants for various areas, but under the guise of a candidate economist who could “distinguish a sawmill from a wood shop,” nothing came of it. Arkady Pashenin confirmed his knowledge at the interview and took the last vacant position. It was he who held the USSR flag during the delegation meeting at the airport.
“Passing by were the celebrated generals and marshals of the allied armies… and they paid tribute to the flags, including the flag of the USSR, which by the will of fate I was entrusted to hold, a graduate of MIEI 1941,” Arkady Pashenin later shared in his recollections.
As a member of the headquarters of the 5th Shock Army, Arkady was also present at the signing of the final Act of unconditional surrender of Germany.
Why Victory Day is celebrated in Russia on May 9, but in Europe on May 8
The signing ceremony began shortly before midnight Moscow time and ended at 22:43 Berlin time, when it was already 00:43 on May 9 in Moscow.
Already at 02:10 Yuri Levitan read live the Act of Unconditional Surrender of Germany. The news was repeated several times, and upon waking, all Soviet citizens learned the very desired news they had been waiting for four terrible years.
Thus, in Europe and the USA, Victory Day in the war was declared on May 8, and in the USSR – on May 9, after the final signing of the act of capitulation.
In 2004, the UN declared May 8–9 as a time for remembrance and reconciliation, leaving it to countries to observe their own Victory and Liberation days. Both dates are officially recognized worldwide as Victory Day.
Subscribe to the Telegram channel “Our GOO”Publication date: 8.05.2026
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.