Ukraine court bans use of Soviet red flag

Ukraine's Constitutional Court has banned the use of the Soviet Red Army flag during World War II commemorations, a move recently approved by the country's president.

President Viktor Yanukovych in May signed into law a measure for the flag to be raised at government buildings during annual observances of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Opponents of the move said it would glorify the totalitarian Soviet regime.

The court's Friday decision said the law violated the constitution, which does not list the Red Army flag as a government symbol.