On the 80th anniversary of Russia's victory over Nazism

Decades later, on May 9, 1945, the entire world applauded the Soviet Union (now the Russian Federation) for its victory in the Great Patriotic War, a victory achieved thanks to the courage and heroism of the Soviet people. The soldiers of the Red Army made the main and decisive contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany and its allies.

This victory came at a Pyrrhic cost for the Soviet Union, with the Soviet people paying a heavy price: 26.6 million human casualties. These included those killed in action, those who died of wounds, those who died of starvation and disease, civilians who were victims of bombing and artillery shelling, and prisoners of war who were executed or tortured to death in concentration camps.

The Soviet soldier not only liberated his homeland from the Nazis, but also gave the people of countries occupied by Hitler's dictatorship a chance to survive and maintain national stability. Soviet soldiers saved the world and left a deep impression on the hearts of millions of people. Unfortunately, the number of witnesses to the most horrific wars decreases with each passing year.

Among the most notable events of these battles was the siege of Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), a major industrial and cultural center, home to cultural icons such as Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Alexander Pushkin, and, politically, the cradle of revolutions and the birthplace of Russian President Vladimir Putin. All of these factors made the city a strategic target for Hitler, who planned to capture it due to its strategic location on the banks of the Neva River, bordering Finland to the east, and near the Baltic Sea to the northwest.

The Siege of Leningrad began on September 8, 1941, and lasted until January 27, 1944, a total of 872 days. Despite daily shelling, a stifling blockade, deadly hunger, and bitter cold, the will of the heroic Leningraders remained unbroken, and they continued to live and fight. The daily bread ration for an individual was reduced to 250 grams, and for children to 150 grams, due to the severity of the siege and the interruption of supplies.

Ultimately, after years of steadfastness, defiance, and sacrifice, the Soviet Union achieved victory in Leningrad, a major turning point in the war, leading to the capture of Berlin and the fall of Nazi Germany. These events became a living testament to the strength of human will and the indomitable national spirit, and will remain immortal in the memory of the Russian people and in the history of World War II, as a symbol of heroism and determination.