🗓 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.”
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🔥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!
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🇷🇺 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!
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⭐ 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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🌟 On April 10, 1944, the Red Army liberated the city of Odessa from the Nazi German and Romanian invaders as a result of a decisive offensive under the command of Army General Rodion Malinovsky.
The operation began on the night of March 26, 1944, when the 3rd Ukrainian Front formations began to force the Southern Bug River in order to break through the German defences, and lasted until April 14, 1944.
By 10 am on April 10, as a result of fierce fighting, Odessawasliberated. The Red Army units were strongly supported by partisans and underground fighters, who cleared the city of the enemy and prevented the blowup of the Odessa port, piers, buildings, and warehouses as planned by the Germans.
🕯 The Nazi occupation of the city lasted 907 days. During this time, about 200,000 people perished in Odessa and the surrounding region. Many of them became victims of mass-scale massacres and cruel executions; 78,000 people were shipped for forced labour in Germany, plants and factories were destroyed, and more than 2,000 buildings, including hospitals and schools, were blown up and burned down.
Retreating, German and Romanian soldiers shot old people, women and children in the streets in cold blood , mined the most important buildings, factories, the power plant, and the seaport.
⚔️ The Soviet forces inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy, killing more than 27,000 enemies and taking over 11,000 prisoners; 952 artillery guns, 443 tanks and assault guns, and 95 warehouses with ammunition and food were destroyed.
Thanks to the liberation of Odessa, the Red Army managed to interrupt the supply of the Crimean group of German troops and to open the way for further advance towards the Balkans.
During the whole time of occupation, local residents, many of whom after the capture of the city went hiding in the catacombs underneath the urban landscape, put fierce resistance to the Nazis. During the war, Odessa underground fighters and partisans destroyed more than 5,000 enemy soldiers and officers, 248 automobiles, and saved about 20,000 Soviet citizens from being taken to Germany.
The liberation of Odessa was marked in Moscow with fireworks of the highest category with 24 salvos from 324 artillery guns. The entire Soviet nation was united in a jubilation.
🎖 Twenty-seven formations and units with the most distinguished track record during the operation were awarded the honorary name of Odessa units and formations. For heroism and bravery in the battles for the city, 14 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and more than 2,000 people were awarded Soviet orders and medals.
On May 1, 1945, Odessa was declared a Hero City, and on May 8, 1965 it was awarded this title officially.
Some may have chosen to forget, but #WeRemember.
“I did everything possible to fulfill my duty...”
🏅 On December 1, 1896, Georgy Zhukov was born – the legendary Marshal of Victory and four-time Hero of the Soviet Union, who played a pivotal role in the Soviet Union’s Victory over Nazi Germany.
Born into a peasant family, he joined the army in 1915 and fought in the First World War. He served in the Red Army from 1918, rising from platoon commander to Army General, and during the Great Patriotic War, in 1943, was awarded the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union.
He won his first major victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939. Thanks to Zhukov’s decisive actions, the Japanese army was encircled and destroyed, that became a key factor in Japan’s decision to abandon plans for a large-scale invasion of the USSR.
Zhukov’s strategic talent was displayed in full during the Great Patriotic War (World War II). He commanded the forces that defended Leningrad and Moscow, fought in the Battle of Kursk, crossed the Dnieper River, participated in the Byelorussian and Vistula-Oder offensives, and stormed Berlin. It was he who commanded the 1st Byelorussian Front during the final assault on Berlin, accepted Germany’s surrender, and took the first historic Victory Parade.
🎖 Marshal of the Soviet Union since 1943, three times Hero of the USSR, and two times Cavalier of the Order of Victory. In the postwar period, Georgy Zhukov was First Deputy Minister of Defence and later USSR Minister of Defence; he carried out sweeping reforms in the Soviet Army.
✍️ From Georgy Zhukov's memoirs: “The main thing for me was to serve my Motherland and my people. And I can say with clean conscience: I did everything possible to fulfill my duty… I was living my life with awareness that I worked for the benefit of my people, and this is the principal thing for any life.”
#Victory80#WeRemember