The honorary title of the Russian Federation, City of Military Glory, is awarded in honour of the courage, fortitude and mass heroism displayed by the defenders of these cities in the struggle for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland during the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.
The city of Velikie Luki (476 km west of Moscow) was the scene of severe fighting during the war, with numerous examples of the mass heroism of Soviet soldiers. Active partisans composed of 55 detachments and 32 subversive groups operated in the outskirts of the city.
Veliky Novgorod – one of the oldest Russian cities – blocked potential routes to Moscow and Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War. It is situated 560 kilometres northwest of Moscow.
In November 1941 Soviet troops launched an offensive attack from the walls of Dmitrov (65 kilometres north of Moscow), an event which was decisive in the battle for Moscow.
Previous presidential decrees have already conferred the title City of Military Glory to Tuapse, Rostov-on-Don, Polyarny, Luga, Voronezh, Elets, Yelnya, Rzhev, Malgobek, Vladikavkaz, Orel, Kursk and Belgorod.