#WeRemember
🌟 On January 27, 1944, Leningrad was completely liberated from the Nazi blockade.
8️⃣7️⃣2️⃣days of the barbaric siegeby the Nazis of our northern capital, which lasted for an unprecedented period from September 8, 1941 until January 27, 1944, and had devastating consequences, terrible sufferings caused by the German invaders to the people of Leningrad, finally ended.
According to historical calculations, over a million people perished during those years, including more than 600'000 of children, women, the seniors, and also the wounded and disabled soldiers — they were dying, because of the Nazis, of starvation, cold, exhaustion and disease.
#LestWeForget: The unbending people of Leningrad of all ages, men and women from small to large, demonstrated extraordinary Heroism and Courage and went through, with dignity, all the inhuman sufferings by the Nazi barbarians and their accomplices. Despite starvation, living under permanent bombing and shelling by the German and Finnish artillery, the people of Leningrad withstood the siege, defended their city and made their invaluable substantial contribution to the Great Victory.
The Nazi criminals did not avoid accountability and paid a high price for the outrageous blockade — the enemy army Group 'North' lost over 900'000 men during the siege and was ultimately destroyed by the Red Army in the Baltic region, Karelia and East Prussia.
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❗️The history of mankind has never witnessed anything comparable to the Blockade of Leningrad in terms of the scale of the tragedy and the extent of the suffering endured by people.
The Nazis and their accomplices followed Hitler’s direct order — to hold Leningrad under a tight siege, fire at anyone crossing the frontline and seek to exterminate all the people in the city. Leningrad was completely encircled in early September 1941, cut off from the rest of the country. The only way to get in and out of the city was by air or across Lake Ladoga’s ice — the route across the lake came to be known as the#RoadOfLife.
During the first weeks of the siege, Nazi troops and the Finns, who were holding blockade of Leningrad from the north, shelled the city with heavy and dense artillery fire, resulting in food warehouses being burnt down. As Leningrad received most of its food from other regions of the country, it immediately began to suffer from food shortages, primarily a lack of bread. Only 13 bakery plants remained in operation to serve almost 2.5 million people.
Given those acute shortages of food supplies, there were strict rationing norms for bread. From November 1941, factory workers received 250 grammes, while children were entitled to just 125 (!) grammes of bread per day. Many people began to die of starvation.
❗️ However, despite all those inhuman conditions, the City never ever gave up fighting. Life in Leningrad went on and never stopped for a second.
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The Red Army tried to break the blockade on many occasions. Having fought multiple battles, with the fiercest combats taking place on the 'Neva Bridgehead' on the River Neva’s left bank, our forces succeeded in partially lifting the siege in January 1943 as part of Operation Iskra — 'Spark'.
🎖OnJanuary 27, 1944, the Siege of Leningrad was completely lifted following a rapid offensive by the Red Army, with the Leningrad and Novgorod regions being also liberated from the Nazi invaders. Wehrmacht troops were forced to retreat to the Baltics, where they were later totally defeated and destroyed.
💬Maria Zakharova:
The defence of Leningrad has become a symbol of courageof the Soviet people. <...> The people of Leningrad saved their city despite incredible sufferings — they have saved it as their human dignity.
That is probably the greatest heroism of the people of Leningrad, the greatest sacrifice they made for all of us — not just for the people of our country but for the world as a whole.
(From the briefing by Russian MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, January 22, 2026)
🔥Congratulatory message by H.E. Mr Anatoly Borovik, Russian Ambassador to Cambodia, addressed to compatriots residing in the Kingdom on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory:
🗣️ Dear Compatriots!
These May days, when Russia, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, our hearts are beating in unison – even here, far away from our Motherland, in hospitable Cambodia.
🔥 May 9th is not just a holiday – it is a sacred day that unites all citizens of our country, no matter where we are. Through years, through distances, through generations, we carry the memory of the heroic deeds of our ancestors who paid a terrible price for our freedom and independence.
❗️I want to say a special word to those who bring up their children far from their Motherland. Tell your children about the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, read books about the war with them, watch movies, take part in events to perpetuate the memory of our heroic ancestors. Your children should understand that they are successors of the victors who liberated the world from fascism.
Today we are once again facing manifestations of Nazism. Our enemies are incubating plans to defeat our Motherland. No matter what, Russia will defend its interests and will do everything to ensure its own security.
Let this holiday serve as a reminder that together we are able to overcome any difficulties and challenges.
❤️🔥 Dear friends! Happy Great Victory Day!
#Victory80#WeRemember
🇷🇺 On May 7, the Embassy of Russia in Cambodia hosted a reception dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
Russian Ambassador H.E. Mr Anatoly Borovik addressed the audience with opening remarks: “This Victory made it possible to build a new world order, the concrete expression of which was the creation of the United Nations and the adoption of its Charter. Having realized the horror of a total war of annihilation, the Allies, despite their differences, were able to lay the foundation for a lasting and just peace based on respect for international law. The defeat of fascism also gave a powerful impetus to anti-colonial struggles around the world, and Southeast Asia was no exception”.
❤️🔥 H.E. Mr. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister in Charge of Special Mission, First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, was the Guest of Honor at the event. The reception was also attended by state officials of the Kingdom, representatives of scientific and cultural institutions, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Phnom Penh, and Russian diplomats.
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❤️🔥 On May 5, the Club of the Russian Embassy in Cambodia hosted a concert dedicated to Victory Day.
In his welcoming speech, Russian Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Mr Anatoly Borovik emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of this sacred holiday. “We have never and will never divide the common Victory over Nazism into ‘ours’ and ‘other's’. To our great regret, today the vaccination against the Nazi plague made in Nuremberg does not always help. The heirs of Hitler's executioners, ideologists of national exclusivity and Russophobia, who have not learned the lessons of history, are already raising their heads without disguise,” said the Head of the Diplomatic Mission.
🔥 Students and teachers of the Embassy School told the audience the history of the Great Patriotic War through poems, songs and dances. The guests honored the memory of the perished with a Minute of Silence.
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🎥 On April 24, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, the Embassy of Russia in Cambodia hosted "Panfilov's 28 Men" movie screening.
Russian Ambassador H.E. Mr Borovik opened the event. “Today we screen the movie “Panfilov's 28 Men”, which tells about the legendary deed of the fighters of the 316th Infantry Division under the command of General Ivan Panfilov. In the fall of 1941, when the enemy was rushing to the heart of our Motherland, Moscow, the Red Army soldiers stopped the advance of German tanks at the cost of their lives. Their feat became a symbol of unparalleled heroism and love for the Motherland”, stated the Head of the diplomatic mission in his welcoming speech.
Senior officials, scientific and cultural activists of the Kingdom, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in the host country, as well as the diplomats of the Embassy attended the event.
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🏃♂️ On April 12, the Embassy of Russia in Cambodia hosted the “Victory Run”. Employees of the diplomatic mission had to reach a total distance of 80 kilometers in a collective run or walk.
93 people took part in the event, including H.E. Mr Anatoly Borovik, Russian Ambassador, and his spouse. Overall, the athletes covered 360 kilometers, surpassing the target figure by 4 times!
#Victory80#WeRemember
⭐ The School by the Embassy of Russia in Cambodia continues to hold events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
On March 24-28, “The Hero's Name is My Name!” patriotic action took place. Throughout the month pupils collected materials and prepared an information stand dedicated to people who performed heroic deeds during the Great Patriotic War, whose names coincided with the names of the pupils. The children decided to extend the action – at the moment they are preparing a video about war heroes.
Within the framework of the International “Victory Bouquet” flash mob, origami master classes on making red carnations were held at the school. During the session, students learnt why this flower is one of the Victory symbols.
📃 On March 28, pupils of all grades took part in the recitation contest “Their Lines Were Rhymed by War...”. Poems by Alexander Tvardovsky, Konstantin Simonov, Olga Bergholz, Alexey Surkov, Bulat Okudzhava and other poets were performed from the stage. The jury announced the prize winners and awarded them with certificates at the school assembly.
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🏅15 Days Until the VictoryDay
On April 24, 1945, the Red Army launched the final assault on Berlin (Battle of Berlin).
Soviet forces encircled the Frankfurt–Guben enemy groups located in the southern part of the German capital and continued their offensive, liberating settlement after settlement.
By the end of the day 20 locations had been liberated and over 9,000 German soldiers were imprisoned.
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🏅 On March 29, 1942, during the harshest period of the Siege of Leningrad, the first partisan convoy carrying food supplies reached the besieged city. Braving enemy lines, the partisans managed to break through the front and deliver 42 tonnes of life-saving provisions to those starving in Leningrad.
The blockade had been sealed in September 1941, trapping more than 2.5 million people inside the city, including 400'000 children inside. They endured horrific hunger, relentless bombings took a heavy toll, and the harsh winter added to their suffering. The Road of Life had yet to be established.
The situation was also dire in the occupied Pskov and Novgorod regions, where Nazi forces carried out mass executions and deportations to labour camps. Yet, resistance never ceased. Deep behind enemy lines, the Soviet people formed the first partisan stronghold of the Great Patriotic War — the Partisan Land.
Upon learning of the desperate conditions in Leningrad, the partisans resolved to help the starving and freezing residents of the city. In early March, they assembled a supply convoy carrying 28 tonnes of flour and over 14 tonnes of other essential provisions.
To reach the city, the partisans had to break through two heavily fortified German defensive lines: first, the encirclement around the Partisan Land, and then the main frontline. The convoy travelled only at night, hiding their sleds and horses in the forests during the day to avoid detection.
After covering over 100 kilometres behind enemy lines, the convoy successfully delivered vital food supplies to Leningrad. These 42 tonnes of supplies saved countless lives at a time when thousands of people were dying each day.
✉️ Along with the provisions, a letter to the city’s residents was included: “We stand with you, dear friends, comrades in arms... Greetings to you, our hero-city, our mighty Leningrad!”
🕯 The Partisan Land ceased to exist in September 1942. The Nazis burned villages to the ground and massacred the civilians who had lived there. Nearly all the heroes who had risked their lives to bring food to Leningrad perished.
To honour their sacrifice, March 29 is commemorated in the Leningrad region as Partisan Glory Day.
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🗓 81 years ago, the events of critical importance for Europe took place. On 26 March 1944, as part of the Uman–Botoșani offensive, the troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front led by Marshal Ivan Konev reached the Prut River that constituted the state border between the USSR and Romania.
The Allies of the Anti-Hitler Coalition persistently asked to advance further and not to stop fighting against Nazi Germany and its henchmen. In the night of March 27, the Red Army crossed the Soviet-Romanian border.
Those developments effectively paved the way for the liberation of Central and Eastern Europe from the German invaders. More than one million Red Army soldiers gave their lives in the struggle to save the European nations enslaved by the Nazis.
Regretfully, the memory of World War II on a regular basis falls under the manipulation of Western countries that seek to rewrite history to serve their geopolitical interests. Many European politicians shamelessly generate false facts and assessments that completely distort not only the role of the Soviet Union but also, more broadly, the causes and nature of World War II.
❗️It is our common duty to preserve historical truth and honour the memory of the heroes who sacrificed themselves for the sake of peace and freedom for all.
#Victory80#WeRemember
🗓 On December 1, 1896, legendary Soviet commander, four-time Hero of the Soviet Union, also known as the Marshal of Victory, Georgy Zhukov, was born. He made an invaluable contribution to preventing the Japanese aggression and enabling the Soviet Union to defeat Nazi Germany and achieve the Great Victory.
Georgy Zhukov joined the Red Army in the autumn of 1918, and went on to command a platoon and then a squadron during the Civil War. Having completed an advanced course in cavalry command, he later graduated from a course for high-ranking military commanders. With these degrees up his sleeve, Zhukov started his rapid ascent within the military, and in every position, he was a smart manager capable of effectively training the troops he had under his command and preparing them for combat action.
⚔️ The first major victory for this famed commander came in 1939. It was during the Battles of Khalkhin Gol that Georgy Zhukov’s resolved actions helped encircle and destroy the Japanese army. In fact, this battle was one of the main reasons which compelled the Japanese leaders to forgo their plans of staging a large-scale invasion of the USSR. Zhukov’s victory in the Mongolian steppe earned him his first Hero of the Soviet Union title. He was also awarded the rank of Army General.
But it was during the Great Patriotic War that Zhukov shone as a military commander. As Deputy Commander-in-Chief, he commanded the troops in cold blood. Coupled with the heroism of the Soviet fighters, this helped the Red Army hold its ground despite all the hardships it faced in the first months of the war. Zhukov headed the front at a critical juncture when there were hardly any troops left between the Nazi troops and Moscow. The Red Army urgently needed reserves and new units. It is under Zhukov’s command that Yelnya was liberated in August 1941, giving the USSR its first triumph in the war against Nazism.
☝️ A strategic thinker, Zhukov was able to improve the Soviet positions even in the most challenging sections along the frontline with Germany. It was he who prevented Nazis from taking over Leningrad. Zhukov also made a decisive contribution to defending Moscow, and coordinated four fronts during the Battle of Kursk, while also taking part in the battle for the Dnieper, the Battle of Korsun–Cherkassy Operation, as well as Operation Bagration and the Vistula–Oder offensive. It is quite symbolic that Zhukov commanded the 1st Belarusian Front during the Berlin offensive, received Germany’s capitulation and the first Victory Parade.
🎖 In early 1943, Georgy Zhukov became Marshal of the Soviet Union, shortly after playing a pivotal role in coordinating efforts to breach the siege of Leningrad. The second and the third titles of Hero of the Soviet Union came in 1944 and 1945. He also received two Pobeda – Victory – orders during the war, the highest distinction for military commanders.
After the war, Zhukov served as First Deputy Minister and later Minister of Defence and carried out a major reform within the Soviet Army.
✍️ In his memoires, Georgy Zhukov wrote: “Serving Motherland and my people was something that mattered the most for me. And I can say with a clear conscience that I did everything to fulfil my duty… I have lived my life knowing that I am serving the people – there can be nothing more important than that for anyone.”
#Victory80#WeRemember