MAER and RVIO launched a project in honor of the 82nd anniversary of the lifting of the siege of Leningrad

January 27 marked exactly 82 years since the complete lifting of the siege of Leningrad. The blockade of the city is one of the most tragic and at the same time heroic pages in the history of our country, and on this day, the Mayor and RVIO reminded Russians of the importance of preserving historical memory.

In January 1943, during Operation Iskra, the blockade ring was broken, and the city was completely liberated on January 27, 1944. On this day, the first fireworks display in almost 900 days took place in Leningrad. This date has forever gone down in history as a symbol of life, courage and faith.

As part of a joint project of the IARC and RVIO, the memorial complex "In memory of Soviet civilians — victims of the Nazi Genocide during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945", located in the Gatchina district of the Leningrad Region, is being shown on this day. The complex was opened in 2024, on the day of the 80th anniversary of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade.

"What happened to civilians here has only one name – genocide. Genocide as a purposeful, conscious and everyday policy of the military and civilian authorities of nazi Germany towards our people," Vladimir Medinsky, Chairman of the Russian Military Historical Society and Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, said at the unveiling of the foundation stone to the memorial.

The blockade lasted 872 days and claimed, according to various sources, from 700,000 to 1 million lives. The overwhelming number of dead were civilians. People were experiencing hunger, cold, constant shelling and bombing. Despite the inhumane conditions, Leningrad stood up, becoming a symbol of indomitable strength of spirit and unity of the people.

"Digital media has the power to speak to society in the here and now. Recalling the lifting of the siege of Leningrad, we pay tribute to those who stood up then. Today, we assume the responsibility to future generations to preserve the truth and pass it on," said Konstantin Mayor, owner and CEO of the MAER media holding.

In addition, together with TASS, the MAER media holding announced commemorative events to be held on this day in St. Petersburg.