The law preserves the red banner with the hammer and sickle - the famous symbol of the former Soviet Union - like the one Soviet troops hoisted on the Reichstag following victory over Nazi Germany in May 1945.
The State Duma, the lower house of parliament, proposed red banners with white five-pointed stars for ceremonies to commemorate the victory in a bill adopted April 6, overriding the upper chamber's veto. The Duma adopted an amended bill April 25 after Putin rejected the original version and a reconciliatory commission inquired into the issue.
The Federation Council unanimously approved the bill May 4.
"Our fathers and grandfathers fought with the red banner and the hammer and sickle," Nikolai Ryzhkov, a Federation Council member, said. "It was hoisted on the Reichstag, and the symbol of Victory must be preserved."
Putin brought back the Soviet-era red star as the Russian military's emblem in 2002, soothing those nostalgic about their Communist past and alarming others fearing the return of reprisals. The parliament had earlier reinstated the Soviet anthem with new lyrics on Putin's initiative.
