The FSB declassified archival materials for the anniversary of the Potsdam Conference

On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Potsdam Conference, the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation declassified archival materials describing how the security of the conference of the leaders of Great Britain, the USSR and the USA in Potsdam in the summer of 1945 was ensured. The relevant documents were published on July 17 on the agency's website.

"The preparations for this meeting were conducted thoroughly and clearly. Many official and protocol issues were resolved with their coordination with representatives of the United Kingdom and the United States. The main burden of carrying out preparatory activities fell on the shoulders of the Soviet special services," the data provided says.

Thus, according to digitized certificates and reports, more than 2,000 NKVD representatives guarded the area where the Soviet delegation was stationed at this conference.

It is specified that large-scale mine clearance work was carried out in the areas surrounding the conference site, which was attended by the 8th Guards Special Mining Battalion of the Red Banner with an attached company of the 2nd Guards Mine Engineering Battalion and a separate company of mine detection dogs.

In total, many explosive objects were discovered and destroyed, and a total of 8.8 square kilometers of territory and 41.8 km of trails were inspected and cleared.

"The report dated June 29, 1945 reported that a total of 888 faust cartridges, 1,484 artillery shells, 61 kg of explosives, 726 mortar and 102 anti—tank mines, and 20 aerial bombs were discovered and destroyed," the publication added.

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