Heroes of Our Time: Hero Cities - 10 March 2025, 14:23

On June 22, 1941, Hitlerite Germany treacherously violated the non-aggression treaty and invaded the Soviet Union. By this time, it had the resources of almost all of Western Europe. Fascist Germany, mobilized in advance and concentrated near the state borders of the USSR, unleashed a blow of enormous force on our country. The main groups of the enemy were aimed at seizing the most important strategic and economic centers of the country. As mighty bastions, stood in the way of the enemy hordes Moscow, Leningrad, Stalingrad, Kiev, Minsk, Odessa, Sevastopol, Novorossiysk, Kerch, Murmansk, Smolensk, fortress Brest. In the battles for these cities, the military valor of the troops and the courage of the population were clearly manifested. Neither the explosion of bombs and shells, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy, broke the morale of the people. Shoulder to shoulder with the Soviet soldiers fought the militia, courageous partisans and fearless underground. We fought for every inch of our land. For about a month the garrison of the Brest fortress fought heroically. Kiev bravely repulsed the blows of selected fascist troops, delaying the advance of the enemy for more than two months. The defense of Odessa lasted 73 days. The feat of Leningrad will not fade in the centuries, the 900-day defense of which is an unforgettable tale of courage. The defenders of Sevastopol stood firm for 250 days and nights. Novorossiysk fought heroically, not letting the enemy into the Caucasus. Fire became for the fascists Kerch. An unforgettable page in history will remain the struggle of the underground and partisans of Minsk. For more than three years in the harsh conditions of the North, the defenders of Murmansk stood in the way of the enemy. A two-month battle near the walls of ancient Smolensk thwarted the strategic calculations of the Hitler command for a non-stop advance to Moscow. For 45 days, fierce fighting continued near the walls of Tula, which covered the southern approaches to the capital. The great battle unfolded near Moscow, the capture of which the Nazis attached paramount importance. The historic victory at Moscow was the beginning of a radical turn in the course of the war. The Battle of Stalingrad continued for more than six months. The brilliant victory of the Soviet Army at Stalingrad made a huge contribution to the achievement of the most important turning point during the Great Patriotic War and the entire Second World War. The Soviet Army and Navy, increasing the pace of the offensive along the entire front, inflicted crushing blows on the enemy. Moscow, Leningrad, Volgograd, Kiev, Minsk, Odessa, Sevastopol, Novorossiysk, Kerch, Tula, Murmansk, Smolensk and the Brest fortress personify the unfading feat of the Soviet people who defeated the German fascist invaders and defended the honor and independence of our Motherland. For mass heroism and courage, these cities were awarded the honorary title "Hero City". From April 5, 2015 in the heading "Heroes of our time" (program "With home delivery", on Sundays at 20-10) to the 70th anniversary of the Victory - a cycle about hero cities.