February 2 - Day of the defeat of Nazi troops in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943

On February 2, Russia celebrates the Day of Military Glory - the Day of the Soviet defeat of Nazi troops in the Battle of Stalingrad. This battle, which lasted for two hundred days, became decisive, providing the beginning of a radical break in the course of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War. Izvestia tells about how the events developed in the winter of 1943 and how the anniversary of the victory at Stalingrad will be celebrated in 2025.

The defeat of Nazi troops at Stalingrad - historical background

The Battle of Stalingrad began on July 17, 1942. After the unsuccessful offensive on Moscow, Adolf Hitler decided to concentrate the main efforts in the south of the country. The enemy planned to seize the rich agricultural areas of the Don and Kuban, as well as the oil areas of the Caucasus, disrupting communications linking the center of the country with this region.

For the offensive in the Stalingrad direction were put forward troops under the command of Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus, one of the authors of the plan "Barbarossa", who among the first proposed to occupy Stalingrad (now - Volgograd) and turn it into a base for an offensive in the southern regions of the country. In addition, the city, named in honor of Joseph Stalin, had a symbolic meaning for the Nazis.

By mid-September Paulus's army with the support of aviation managed to reach the outskirts of the city, and in October 1942 to occupy almost the entire center of Stalingrad. All this time there were persistent and bloody battles, turning the city into ruins. Only in the first days of the battle as a result of air strikes killed tens of thousands of residents, more than 100 thousand were wounded. It was then that the famous order "Not a step back!" appeared, designed to put an end to the retreat.

Even during the defensive period, the Soviet command began to concentrate forces for the transition to a counter-offensive. The decisive role in the offensive operation code-named "Uranus" was destined to play the troops of the Don Front, commanded by the future Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky. As a result of the fighting that began in the morning of November 19, the Wehrmacht troops were surrounded, the German defense was broken through.

The Red Army dealt a crushing blow during the strategic operation "Ring", the purpose of which was to destroy the encircled Wehrmacht group. The Soviet troops occupied the airfield Gumrak, making it impossible to supply the enemy, and after joining parts of the 21st and 62nd Armies in the area of Mamaev Kurgan dismembered the enemy forces into two parts. The operation began on January 10 and ended on February 2, 1943 with the surrender of the Germans, including Paulus and 24 other generals of the Wehrmacht.

As a result of the battle, Nazi Germany suffered a major defeat, losing up to a quarter of its army. The defeat also undermined the confidence in Germany on the part of its allies and contributed to the activation of the resistance movement in the countries of Europe. Stalingrad gained special significance in the memory of the entire world community, becoming one of the symbols of courage and fortitude.

In Russia, the day of February 2 was declared a public holiday. The date was established in 1995 by the federal law "On Days of Military Glory and Memorable Dates of Russia".

Traditions of the Day of Victory in the Battle of Stalingrad, celebrated on February 2

Every year on the Day of the defeat of Nazi troops at Stalingrad, commemorative actions, concerts and exhibitions are held throughout the country. The events are attended by veterans of the Great Patriotic War, residents of wartime Stalingrad, as well as representatives of the authorities and public organizations.

The main events are unfolding in Volgograd. The holiday begins with the laying of flowers on the territory of the memorial complex "Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" on Mamaev Kurgan and to the Eternal Flame in the city center.

In 2025, about 90 events are planned for the 82nd anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad, including an exhibition dedicated to the great commanders of the victory, a military-historical reconstruction and a traditional track and field race.

Volgograd youth will carry 80-meter Stalingrad and St. George ribbons as part of the patriotic action. On this day schools will announce a minute of silence, and instead of the usual bells will sound songs of the war years.

Earlier in Russia celebrated the Day of complete liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade. "Izvestia" told about the history and traditions of this date.