80th anniversary: Putin lays wreath in memory of Stalingrad defenders - video

 

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday visited the memorial complex on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd as part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad.

The president laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame in the Hall of Military Glory, then observed a minute of silence in memory of Soviet soldiers killed during the Battle of Stalingrad.

Putin then went to the grave of Marshal Vasily Chuikov, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, who is buried on Mamaev Kurgan, and also laid flowers. During the war, Chuikov commanded the 62nd Army, which became famous for its heroic six-month defense of Stalingrad.··

• 80th anniversary

February 2, 2023, marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Battle of Stalingrad. During the days of celebration in Volgograd there will be about 250 events, the main ones being a military parade, a concert conducted by Yury Bashmet, as well as fireworks on Mamaev Kurgan and the central waterfront.

The Battle of Stalingrad (July 17, 1942 - February 2, 1943) was one of the largest during the Great Patriotic War in terms of size, duration and number of participants. It radically changed the course of the war and heralded the victory of the Soviet army over the Nazi troops.