♟ 100 Years of Checkmate: Celebrating International Chess Day Established by the International Chess Federation #OTD in 1924
Chess is one of the most ancient, intellectual and cultural games, with a combination of sport, scientific thinking and elements of art. As an affordable and inclusive activity, it can be exercised anywhere and played by all, across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability or social status.
🇷🇺 Russian school of chess enjoys strong traditions. The 2nd half of the XX century saw the USSR’s chess dominance. In 1948, grand master Mikhail Botvinnik opened the “Soviet era” in world chess that lasted up to USSR’s dissolution and onwards with a short period of R.Fischer’s championship (1972 – 1975).
👉 Follow the LINK to discover the list of the top 10 most legendary Russian Chess Players of all time.
#internationalchessday
Chess is one of the most ancient, intellectual and cultural games, with a combination of sport, scientific thinking and elements of art. As an affordable and inclusive activity, it can be exercised anywhere and played by all, across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability or social status.
🇷🇺 Russian school of chess enjoys strong traditions. The 2nd half of the XX century saw the USSR’s chess dominance. In 1948, grand master Mikhail Botvinnik opened the “Soviet era” in world chess that lasted up to USSR’s dissolution and onwards with a short period of R.Fischer’s championship (1972 – 1975).
👉 Follow the LINK to discover the list of the top 10 most legendary Russian Chess Players of all time.
#internationalchessday
📆 80 years ago, #OTD in 1944, Pskov was liberated from Nazi occupation as part of the Pskov-Ostrov operation.
It was carried out by the troops of the 3rd Baltic Front of the Red Army against Wehrmacht’s 18th Army and the 1st Air Fleet.
⚔️ By the beginning of the operation, Soviet troops defeated the Nazi forces of the Army Group ‘North’ as a result of the Leningrad-Novgorod strategic offensive, making them retreat to the Panther-Wotan defensive line.
⚔️ In mid-summer 1944, given the success of the operation ‘Bagration’ in Belorussia and the looming defeat of the Army Group ‘Centre’, Soviet command decided to carry out 3 coordinated offensives in the Baltic region – the Narva, the Rezhitsa-Dvina and the Pskov-Ostrov operations.
The latter kicked off on 11 July 1944.
🌟 During the operation, Soviet troops breached Nazi defence at the Panther-Wothan line, defeated the enemy’s grouping and took over the massive Pskov-Ostrov stronghold. Successful outcome of the operation facilitated Soviet advance on the Baltic and Leningrad directions.
🕊 The day of liberation from Nazi invaders – 23 July – is currently celebrated in Pskov as the City Day.
#Victory79
It was carried out by the troops of the 3rd Baltic Front of the Red Army against Wehrmacht’s 18th Army and the 1st Air Fleet.
⚔️ By the beginning of the operation, Soviet troops defeated the Nazi forces of the Army Group ‘North’ as a result of the Leningrad-Novgorod strategic offensive, making them retreat to the Panther-Wotan defensive line.
⚔️ In mid-summer 1944, given the success of the operation ‘Bagration’ in Belorussia and the looming defeat of the Army Group ‘Centre’, Soviet command decided to carry out 3 coordinated offensives in the Baltic region – the Narva, the Rezhitsa-Dvina and the Pskov-Ostrov operations.
The latter kicked off on 11 July 1944.
🌟 During the operation, Soviet troops breached Nazi defence at the Panther-Wothan line, defeated the enemy’s grouping and took over the massive Pskov-Ostrov stronghold. Successful outcome of the operation facilitated Soviet advance on the Baltic and Leningrad directions.
🕊 The day of liberation from Nazi invaders – 23 July – is currently celebrated in Pskov as the City Day.
#Victory79
📆 80 years ago, #OTD in 1944, the city of Narva in Soviet Estonia was liberated from Nazi invaders as part of the Narva operation carried out by the forces of the Leningrad Front of the Red Army.
The city had remained under German occupation since August 1941.
⚔️ Soviet troops crossed the Narva river and seized bridgeheads on its banks as early as February 1944 during the Leningrad-Novgorod Offensive. But the enemy offered stiff resistance and could stop Red Army’s further advance. Nazis moved up reinforcements including Estonian SS regiments and units of ‘Nordland’ division.
☝️ Both Soviet and Nazi command realized the importance of the Narva foothold which paved the way to the coast of the Gulf of Finland and the whole of the Baltic region, creating threat for the Axis ally Finland.
On 24 July 1944, following an artillery barrage, Soviet forces launched the offensive. Land troops were supported by the 13th Air Army. Soviet fighter aviation destroyed Wehrmacht’s artillery batteries and manpower, delivered strikes on communications facilities.
🌟 On 26 July 1944, Narva was liberated with Nazis driven back to Tannnenberg defensive line.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
The city had remained under German occupation since August 1941.
⚔️ Soviet troops crossed the Narva river and seized bridgeheads on its banks as early as February 1944 during the Leningrad-Novgorod Offensive. But the enemy offered stiff resistance and could stop Red Army’s further advance. Nazis moved up reinforcements including Estonian SS regiments and units of ‘Nordland’ division.
☝️ Both Soviet and Nazi command realized the importance of the Narva foothold which paved the way to the coast of the Gulf of Finland and the whole of the Baltic region, creating threat for the Axis ally Finland.
On 24 July 1944, following an artillery barrage, Soviet forces launched the offensive. Land troops were supported by the 13th Air Army. Soviet fighter aviation destroyed Wehrmacht’s artillery batteries and manpower, delivered strikes on communications facilities.
🌟 On 26 July 1944, Narva was liberated with Nazis driven back to Tannnenberg defensive line.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
🇷🇺 Today Russian Airborne Troops also known as “blue berets” celebrate their professional holiday
94 years ago, for the 1st time in USSR, airborne troops were landed during the exercises of Moscow Military District.
The Russian Airborne Forces are proud of their glorious history and the names of their founding fathers and are known for maintaining loyalty to the combat brotherhood.
Throughout their history, Russian airborne troops resolved all the tasks set before them boldly and courageously measuring up to their legendary slogan “Nobody but us.”
🌟 We sincerely congratulate the “Winged Infantry” of Russia on its professional holiday and wish them good health, success and all the best!
#OTD #RussianAirborneForces
94 years ago, for the 1st time in USSR, airborne troops were landed during the exercises of Moscow Military District.
The Russian Airborne Forces are proud of their glorious history and the names of their founding fathers and are known for maintaining loyalty to the combat brotherhood.
Throughout their history, Russian airborne troops resolved all the tasks set before them boldly and courageously measuring up to their legendary slogan “Nobody but us.”
🌟 We sincerely congratulate the “Winged Infantry” of Russia on its professional holiday and wish them good health, success and all the best!
#OTD #RussianAirborneForces
📆 83 years ago, #OTD in 1941, the heroic 73-day Defence of Odessa started.
Soviet Separate Coastal Army and the Black Sea Fleet, actively supported by civilians, withstood the advancing German-Romanian forces, including the 72nd German Infantry Division, the 4th Romanian Army and Luftwaffe.
⚔️ During the siege, city defenders repelled several strikes of the considerably outnumbering enemy’s troops (10 to 1 at the beginning of the operation).
⚔️ Fierce Soviet resistance covered the evacuation of civilians, cultural and industrial assets from Odessa, which was completed by 16 October 1941.
🕯 Right after the takeover of Odessa, Romanian forces supported by the Germans, carried out a massacre in the city, having shot and burnt alive some 25,000-34,000 Jews and Gypsies.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
Soviet Separate Coastal Army and the Black Sea Fleet, actively supported by civilians, withstood the advancing German-Romanian forces, including the 72nd German Infantry Division, the 4th Romanian Army and Luftwaffe.
⚔️ During the siege, city defenders repelled several strikes of the considerably outnumbering enemy’s troops (10 to 1 at the beginning of the operation).
⚔️ Fierce Soviet resistance covered the evacuation of civilians, cultural and industrial assets from Odessa, which was completed by 16 October 1941.
🕯 Right after the takeover of Odessa, Romanian forces supported by the Germans, carried out a massacre in the city, having shot and burnt alive some 25,000-34,000 Jews and Gypsies.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
📆 #OTD in 1856, Apollinarius Vasnetsov was born. Younger brother to the renowned painter Viktor Vasnetsov, Apollinarius carved out his own legacy as an artist, scientist, historian, and poet of Russian nature.
While he studied history and archaeology, his art focused on native landscapes and the old city of Moscow.
Growing up in the small village of Ryabovo in Vyatka province, Apollinarius was deeply influenced by his father, a priest with a passion for natural sciences and astronomy. His father’s love for the Motherland was instilled in his children, shaping Apollinarius’s own appreciation for the Russian North.
🎨 This deep connection is vividly portrayed in his masterpiece, “Motherland,” and in his monumental landscapes such as “Taiga in the Urals. Blue Mountain” and “Mountain Lake. Ural.” His epic vision culminates in the evocative “Elegy,” which won a silver medal at the Paris World Exhibition.
Apollinarius Vasnetsov's work continues to be celebrated by his admirers both in Russia and abroad.
#RussianArt #OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture #Vasnetsov
While he studied history and archaeology, his art focused on native landscapes and the old city of Moscow.
Growing up in the small village of Ryabovo in Vyatka province, Apollinarius was deeply influenced by his father, a priest with a passion for natural sciences and astronomy. His father’s love for the Motherland was instilled in his children, shaping Apollinarius’s own appreciation for the Russian North.
🎨 This deep connection is vividly portrayed in his masterpiece, “Motherland,” and in his monumental landscapes such as “Taiga in the Urals. Blue Mountain” and “Mountain Lake. Ural.” His epic vision culminates in the evocative “Elegy,” which won a silver medal at the Paris World Exhibition.
Apollinarius Vasnetsov's work continues to be celebrated by his admirers both in Russia and abroad.
#RussianArt #OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture #Vasnetsov
📆 #OTD in 1945, Japanese city of Nagasaki was completely obliterated by the second A-bombing, carried out by the US.
The attack on Nagasaki occurred just three days after the US carried out the world's first ever atomic bombing in Hiroshima. The bomb that hit Nagasaki, known as “Fat Man”, destroyed most of the city and killed tens of thousands of people instantly.
❗️ Approximately 74.000 people died from the bombing and its after-effects by the end of 1945.
☝️ This act had no military significance, as Japan was already doomed to a defeat, but was rather a show of force by the US and an operational test of nuclear weapons on civilians.
#Hiroshima #AtomicBomb #USCrimes
The attack on Nagasaki occurred just three days after the US carried out the world's first ever atomic bombing in Hiroshima. The bomb that hit Nagasaki, known as “Fat Man”, destroyed most of the city and killed tens of thousands of people instantly.
❗️ Approximately 74.000 people died from the bombing and its after-effects by the end of 1945.
☝️ This act had no military significance, as Japan was already doomed to a defeat, but was rather a show of force by the US and an operational test of nuclear weapons on civilians.
#Hiroshima #AtomicBomb #USCrimes
📆 #OTD, in 1900, the influential Russian thinker Vladimir Solovyov passed away.
✍️ Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov (January 28, 1853 - August 13, 1900) was a renowned religious thinker, mystic, poet, essayist, literary critic, and teacher.
🌟 He was also an honourary academician of the Imperial Academy of Sciences in fine literature.
Born in Moscow to the famous historian S.M.Solovyov, Vladimir was deeply influenced by his father's dedication and scholarly rigor.
👉 Solovyov played a pivotal role in the early 20th-century Russian spiritual revival and is celebrated as a key figure in Russian idealism. His work and ideas significantly shaped Russian philosophy and inspired countless intellectuals of his time. He is also credited with founding the movement of Christian philosophy.
#RussianLiterature #RussianCulture #OutstandingRussians
✍️ Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov (January 28, 1853 - August 13, 1900) was a renowned religious thinker, mystic, poet, essayist, literary critic, and teacher.
🌟 He was also an honourary academician of the Imperial Academy of Sciences in fine literature.
Born in Moscow to the famous historian S.M.Solovyov, Vladimir was deeply influenced by his father's dedication and scholarly rigor.
👉 Solovyov played a pivotal role in the early 20th-century Russian spiritual revival and is celebrated as a key figure in Russian idealism. His work and ideas significantly shaped Russian philosophy and inspired countless intellectuals of his time. He is also credited with founding the movement of Christian philosophy.
#RussianLiterature #RussianCulture #OutstandingRussians
🚀 64 years ago, #OTD in 1960, the Soviet stray dogs Belka and Strelka (Squirrel and Little Arrow in Russian) won themselves worldwide fame and glory after successfully performing a 24-hour Earth orbit on the Vostok spacecraft and returning back on Earth safe and sound.
🐶 The first canine cosmonauts were chosen from a wide selection of the stray dogs the scientists collected from streets and backyards. They were deemed the most suitable candidates, as years of life in the street had taught them to survive in extreme conditions.
📺 Several days afterward, Belka and Strelka’s flight was broadcast on television. The audience could clearly see how the dogs were doing somersaults in zero gravity. While Strelka was always stressed and on guard, Belka was enjoying herself, frolicking and barking.
💫 After the flight Strelka gave birth twice, her puppies being just as popular as their mom.
#RussiaInSpace
🐶 The first canine cosmonauts were chosen from a wide selection of the stray dogs the scientists collected from streets and backyards. They were deemed the most suitable candidates, as years of life in the street had taught them to survive in extreme conditions.
📺 Several days afterward, Belka and Strelka’s flight was broadcast on television. The audience could clearly see how the dogs were doing somersaults in zero gravity. While Strelka was always stressed and on guard, Belka was enjoying herself, frolicking and barking.
💫 After the flight Strelka gave birth twice, her puppies being just as popular as their mom.
#RussiaInSpace
📆 80 years ago, #OTD in 1944 the Jassy-Kishinev Strategic Offensive of the Red army was launched during #WW2
⚔️ It was conducted by the troops of the 2nd and the 3rd Ukrainian Fronts with the support of the Black Sea Fleet and the Danube Military Flotilla against the Army Group “South Ukraine” consisting of German and Romanian formations.
⚔️ The offensive resulted in the encirclement and complete decimation of defending German forces, opening way further to Eastern Europe for the Red Army.
☝️ The defeat of the Nazis also resulted in a coup in Romania which overthrew the Axis ally dictator Antonescu and allied with the Soviet Union against Germany.
🌟 In only 9 days, the Nazi forces were crushed with 22 enemy’s divisions totally eliminated.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
⚔️ It was conducted by the troops of the 2nd and the 3rd Ukrainian Fronts with the support of the Black Sea Fleet and the Danube Military Flotilla against the Army Group “South Ukraine” consisting of German and Romanian formations.
⚔️ The offensive resulted in the encirclement and complete decimation of defending German forces, opening way further to Eastern Europe for the Red Army.
☝️ The defeat of the Nazis also resulted in a coup in Romania which overthrew the Axis ally dictator Antonescu and allied with the Soviet Union against Germany.
🌟 In only 9 days, the Nazi forces were crushed with 22 enemy’s divisions totally eliminated.
#Victory79 #WeRemember
📆 #OTD, the non-aggression treaty between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, often referred to as the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, was signed in Moscow in 1939.
Soviet leadership, after Hitler came to power, made every effort to stop the aggressor and set up a system of collective security in Europe.
👉 These endeavors were blocked by the leading Western powers, Great Britain and France, which eventually found themselves trapped in their own schemes. The Munich Agreement signed by the heads of government of Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy in September 1938 became the most glaring example of the “policy of appeasement” of Hitler by Western countries. By signing it, the European leaders “greenlighted” the annexation of parts of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany, in an obvious attempt – on a larger scale – to channel German aggression to the East.
☝️ In fact, the Soviet Union became the last to conclude a treaty with Germany after Poland (1934), Great Britain (1935, 1938), France (1938), Italy (1939), Denmark (1939), Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (1939).
🔻 The conclusion of the Pact was a severe necessity for the Soviet Union after the final failure of negotiations with the British and the French, a lifesaver within the aggravating international situation.
🔻The decision was taken in an extremely short period of time, when the futility of Moscow’s calls for an effective anti-Hitler coalition was fully revealed. The USSR also could not risk a war on two fronts, given that clashes with Japan were already ongoing in the Far East and there was no guarantee that they would escalate into a large-scale confrontation.
❗️ Therefore, the Soviet decision was primarily dictated by a need to ensure national security and any parallels between the USSR and Germany in starting WWII are simply cooked up.
#WWII #SovietHistory #RussianHistory #MolotovRibbentropPact
Soviet leadership, after Hitler came to power, made every effort to stop the aggressor and set up a system of collective security in Europe.
👉 These endeavors were blocked by the leading Western powers, Great Britain and France, which eventually found themselves trapped in their own schemes. The Munich Agreement signed by the heads of government of Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy in September 1938 became the most glaring example of the “policy of appeasement” of Hitler by Western countries. By signing it, the European leaders “greenlighted” the annexation of parts of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany, in an obvious attempt – on a larger scale – to channel German aggression to the East.
☝️ In fact, the Soviet Union became the last to conclude a treaty with Germany after Poland (1934), Great Britain (1935, 1938), France (1938), Italy (1939), Denmark (1939), Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (1939).
🔻 The conclusion of the Pact was a severe necessity for the Soviet Union after the final failure of negotiations with the British and the French, a lifesaver within the aggravating international situation.
🔻The decision was taken in an extremely short period of time, when the futility of Moscow’s calls for an effective anti-Hitler coalition was fully revealed. The USSR also could not risk a war on two fronts, given that clashes with Japan were already ongoing in the Far East and there was no guarantee that they would escalate into a large-scale confrontation.
❗️ Therefore, the Soviet decision was primarily dictated by a need to ensure national security and any parallels between the USSR and Germany in starting WWII are simply cooked up.
#WWII #SovietHistory #RussianHistory #MolotovRibbentropPact
🌟 #OTD 80 years ago, the capital of Soviet Moldavia Kishinev was liberated from Nazi occupation by the troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front.
⚔️ On the night of 23 August 1944, Soviet troops completed the encirclement of the enemy’s grouping of 18 divisions near Kishinev. On the next day, 24 August 1944, the troops of the 5th Shock Army led by General N.Berzarin broke into the city and purged it.
🔻 Сommander of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, General F.Tolbukhin, issued an ultimatum to the 3rd Romanian Army and the 9th German infantry division calling on the enemy to surrender. On the 24th and the 25th August 1944, Romanian and German soldiers ceased their resistance.
🕯 During the 3 years of Kishinev’s occupation, some 20.000 residents were murdered. In the Kishinev ghetto 9.000 – 13.000 prisoners were kept. When the Red Army entered Kishinev, only 6 survivors were found in ghetto.
#WWII #Victory79 #WeRemember
⚔️ On the night of 23 August 1944, Soviet troops completed the encirclement of the enemy’s grouping of 18 divisions near Kishinev. On the next day, 24 August 1944, the troops of the 5th Shock Army led by General N.Berzarin broke into the city and purged it.
🔻 Сommander of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, General F.Tolbukhin, issued an ultimatum to the 3rd Romanian Army and the 9th German infantry division calling on the enemy to surrender. On the 24th and the 25th August 1944, Romanian and German soldiers ceased their resistance.
🕯 During the 3 years of Kishinev’s occupation, some 20.000 residents were murdered. In the Kishinev ghetto 9.000 – 13.000 prisoners were kept. When the Red Army entered Kishinev, only 6 survivors were found in ghetto.
#WWII #Victory79 #WeRemember
🛳 94 years ago, #OTD in 1930, Soviet polar expedition on the steamer icebreaker “Georgy Sedov” discovered the western coasts of Severnaya Zemlya (Northern Land) in Russia’s high Arctic.
The expedition led by Soviet scientist Otto Schmidt traveled 10.000 km and implemented a vast research program.
🌍 The northern part of the Kara Sea as well as Wiese, Isachenko, Voronin islands, and Sedov archipelago were first explored.
#RussiaInArctic
The expedition led by Soviet scientist Otto Schmidt traveled 10.000 km and implemented a vast research program.
🌍 The northern part of the Kara Sea as well as Wiese, Isachenko, Voronin islands, and Sedov archipelago were first explored.
#RussiaInArctic
🌟 81 years ago, #OTD in 1943, Smolensk was liberated from Nazis as part of the Smolensk Strategic Offensive codenamed “Suvorov”
The operation was carried out by the troops of the Soviet Western Front supported by partisan units.
⚔️ The enemy put up strong resistance trying to hold an important transport junction and besides the town where Army Group “Centre” headquarters were located from the Autumn of 1941. But the Red Army’s pincer attack from the south and front strikes from the northeast decided the town’s fate. On 25 September 1943 a red banner was hoisted over the hotel “Smolensk”.
▪️ Smolensk was under Nazi occupation over two years - from 16 July 1941 till 25 September 1943.
🕯 During that period 135.000 of 157.000 Smolensk residents were exterminated by Nazi punitive forces. 870 of 900 industrial enterprises in Smolensk region were destroyed.
⚔️ With the liberation of Smolensk, a bridgehead was created for further offensive in Belorussia within “Bagration” operation of 1944.
☝️ The whole world witnessed courage and commitment of Soviet soldiers whereas the Western allies realized, the Red Army would reach the Atlantic ocean unless they open the Second Front in Europe.
#WWII #WW2 #WeRemember #Victory79
The operation was carried out by the troops of the Soviet Western Front supported by partisan units.
⚔️ The enemy put up strong resistance trying to hold an important transport junction and besides the town where Army Group “Centre” headquarters were located from the Autumn of 1941. But the Red Army’s pincer attack from the south and front strikes from the northeast decided the town’s fate. On 25 September 1943 a red banner was hoisted over the hotel “Smolensk”.
▪️ Smolensk was under Nazi occupation over two years - from 16 July 1941 till 25 September 1943.
🕯 During that period 135.000 of 157.000 Smolensk residents were exterminated by Nazi punitive forces. 870 of 900 industrial enterprises in Smolensk region were destroyed.
⚔️ With the liberation of Smolensk, a bridgehead was created for further offensive in Belorussia within “Bagration” operation of 1944.
☝️ The whole world witnessed courage and commitment of Soviet soldiers whereas the Western allies realized, the Red Army would reach the Atlantic ocean unless they open the Second Front in Europe.
#WWII #WW2 #WeRemember #Victory79
📆 #OTD 80 years ago the East Carpathian Offensive of the Red Army and the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps against German-Hungarian forces during #WW2 finished
▫️ In summer of 1944, Soviet troops reached the foothills of the Carpathians and encountered enemy’s defence-in-depth.
The Red Army units were exhausted during the battles of the western Ukraine. Soviet command thoroughly prepared further operations, given the mountainous terrain and Nazi fortification system.
⚔️ In the meantime, Slovak national uprising against the country’s fascist government began in late August 1944. The leadership of the uprising appealed to the Soviet Union for help.
☝️ In order to support the people of Slovakia, the Stavka decided to attack immediately directly across the Carpathians.
⚠️ As a result of the operation, Soviet troops concluded the liberation of Ukraine and gained control over the Dukla Pass in eastern Slovakia creating bridgehead for the liberation of Czechoslovakia in May 1945.
However, the Red Army couldn’t break through to the Slovak rebel forces and the uprising was suppressed by Nazis.
#WWII #WeRemember #Victory79
▫️ In summer of 1944, Soviet troops reached the foothills of the Carpathians and encountered enemy’s defence-in-depth.
The Red Army units were exhausted during the battles of the western Ukraine. Soviet command thoroughly prepared further operations, given the mountainous terrain and Nazi fortification system.
⚔️ In the meantime, Slovak national uprising against the country’s fascist government began in late August 1944. The leadership of the uprising appealed to the Soviet Union for help.
☝️ In order to support the people of Slovakia, the Stavka decided to attack immediately directly across the Carpathians.
⚠️ As a result of the operation, Soviet troops concluded the liberation of Ukraine and gained control over the Dukla Pass in eastern Slovakia creating bridgehead for the liberation of Czechoslovakia in May 1945.
However, the Red Army couldn’t break through to the Slovak rebel forces and the uprising was suppressed by Nazis.
#WWII #WeRemember #Victory79
📆 #OTD in 1941, the Battle of Moscow commenced – one of the biggest battles in the history of the Great Patriotic War.
Ordinary Muscovites and students of military schools stood up to defend the city alongside Red Army soldiers. No other capital resisted Hitler's advance so fiercely.
⚔️ Nazi Germany and its allies planned to defeat the USSR in accordance with the Barbarossa Plan, which aimed to inflict a crushing defeat on the Red Army within a few months using blitzkrieg tactics. According to Barbarossa Plan, Moscow was to be captured by the 40th day after the invasion, with three to four months allotted for the complete elimination of resistance in the occupied Soviet territories.
▪️ By the end of September 1941, the Nazi forces occupied the Baltics, Belarus, Moldavia and a substantial part of Soviet Ukraine, besieged Leningrad and approached Moscow.
☝️ Given the strategic and political importance of the Soviet capital, Hitler committed significant forces to assault: 1.8 million troops, 1,700 tanks, and around 1,000 aircraft.
▪️ Under those circumstances, the State Defence Committee declared a state of siege in Moscow and adjacent areas that had not been captured by the enemy. Intense preparations for street fighting began, and the most important government and industrial facilities were mined.
❌ Hitler’s plan envisaged the capture of Moscow within the first three to four months and the complete destruction of its population. The selfless resistance of the Red Army units, militia and cadets prevented these plans from coming to life. The Soviet forces held back around twenty German divisions in fierce battles that raged for two weeks, which made it possible to reinforce the defence line and move the reserves to Moscow.
In early December, when the Wehrmacht forces were largely depleted, the Red Army was able to launch a counteroffensive, rout the assault units of the Army Group Centre and remove the threat hanging over the capital.
❗️ The success of the Soviet forces in the Battle of Moscow shattered the myth of the Third Reich’s invincibility, foiled Nazi blitzkrieg plans, and deterred the Japanese government, which was already preparing troops to invade the Soviet Union, from joining the war on Germany’s side. This marked Hitler’s first major defeat in World War II.
#BattleOfMoscow #WeRemember #Victory79 #WWII #WW2
Ordinary Muscovites and students of military schools stood up to defend the city alongside Red Army soldiers. No other capital resisted Hitler's advance so fiercely.
⚔️ Nazi Germany and its allies planned to defeat the USSR in accordance with the Barbarossa Plan, which aimed to inflict a crushing defeat on the Red Army within a few months using blitzkrieg tactics. According to Barbarossa Plan, Moscow was to be captured by the 40th day after the invasion, with three to four months allotted for the complete elimination of resistance in the occupied Soviet territories.
▪️ By the end of September 1941, the Nazi forces occupied the Baltics, Belarus, Moldavia and a substantial part of Soviet Ukraine, besieged Leningrad and approached Moscow.
☝️ Given the strategic and political importance of the Soviet capital, Hitler committed significant forces to assault: 1.8 million troops, 1,700 tanks, and around 1,000 aircraft.
▪️ Under those circumstances, the State Defence Committee declared a state of siege in Moscow and adjacent areas that had not been captured by the enemy. Intense preparations for street fighting began, and the most important government and industrial facilities were mined.
❌ Hitler’s plan envisaged the capture of Moscow within the first three to four months and the complete destruction of its population. The selfless resistance of the Red Army units, militia and cadets prevented these plans from coming to life. The Soviet forces held back around twenty German divisions in fierce battles that raged for two weeks, which made it possible to reinforce the defence line and move the reserves to Moscow.
In early December, when the Wehrmacht forces were largely depleted, the Red Army was able to launch a counteroffensive, rout the assault units of the Army Group Centre and remove the threat hanging over the capital.
❗️ The success of the Soviet forces in the Battle of Moscow shattered the myth of the Third Reich’s invincibility, foiled Nazi blitzkrieg plans, and deterred the Japanese government, which was already preparing troops to invade the Soviet Union, from joining the war on Germany’s side. This marked Hitler’s first major defeat in World War II.
#BattleOfMoscow #WeRemember #Victory79 #WWII #WW2
📆 110 years ago, #OTD in 1914, Yuri Levitan was born, a primary Soviet radio announcer
🎙He is remembered to have read the Soviet Information Bureau messages about the start of the war with Germany and the victory over Nazis. He voiced information bulletins from the fronts during all four years of fighting. Soviet marshals said his voice had the power of a military division.
👉 Yuri Levitan was rumoured to be in the Third Reich’s enemies list under № 1, while Stalin was listed 2nd. 250.000 Deutschmarks were promised for killing Levitan, and a special SS unit was planning a diversion in Moscow to eliminate the radio presenter.
#OutstandingRussians #Victory79
🎙He is remembered to have read the Soviet Information Bureau messages about the start of the war with Germany and the victory over Nazis. He voiced information bulletins from the fronts during all four years of fighting. Soviet marshals said his voice had the power of a military division.
👉 Yuri Levitan was rumoured to be in the Third Reich’s enemies list under № 1, while Stalin was listed 2nd. 250.000 Deutschmarks were promised for killing Levitan, and a special SS unit was planning a diversion in Moscow to eliminate the radio presenter.
#OutstandingRussians #Victory79
#OTD in 1942, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) was formed, a nationalist & collaborationist organization controlled by Nazi Germany.
⬛🟥 The UPA is remembered alongside Gestapo for mass murders of Polish, Jewish and Ukrainian population. Dozens of thousands people, predominantly civilians, perished at the hands of UPA militants as evidenced by numerous remaining documents.
❗The UPA is responsible for the Volyn Massacre of 1943-1945 – mass murders of the population of Polish ethnicity in Western Ukraine during which some 50,000 – 60,000 Poles were shot, burnt and beheaded.
In the present-day Ukraine, the date of foundation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army is established as a state holiday – Defender of Ukraine Day, while the UPA leaders Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevich are praised as national heroes. This is all you need to know about the current political regime in Ukraine.
#WW2 #WWII #InconvenientTruth #WeRemember
⬛🟥 The UPA is remembered alongside Gestapo for mass murders of Polish, Jewish and Ukrainian population. Dozens of thousands people, predominantly civilians, perished at the hands of UPA militants as evidenced by numerous remaining documents.
❗The UPA is responsible for the Volyn Massacre of 1943-1945 – mass murders of the population of Polish ethnicity in Western Ukraine during which some 50,000 – 60,000 Poles were shot, burnt and beheaded.
In the present-day Ukraine, the date of foundation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army is established as a state holiday – Defender of Ukraine Day, while the UPA leaders Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevich are praised as national heroes. This is all you need to know about the current political regime in Ukraine.
#WW2 #WWII #InconvenientTruth #WeRemember