President of Russia
  • Events
  • Structure
  • Videos and Photos
  • Documents
  • Contacts
  • Search
  • Search this website
President of Russia
Mobile version

President's
website
sections

  • Events
  • Structure
  • Videos and Photos
  • Documents
  • Contacts
  • Search
  • Search
  • For the Media
  • Subscribe
  • Directory
  • Version for People with Disabilities
  • YouTube Channel
  • Русский

President's
website
resources

  • President of RussiaCurrent resource
  • The Constitution of Russia
  • State Insignia
  • Send a Letter
  • Vladimir Putin’s Personal Website

Special
animal welfare
projects

  • Amur tiger
  • Beluga whale
  • Polar bear
  • Snow leopard
  • Far Eastern leopard

Legal
and technical
information

  • About website
  • Using website content
  • Personal data of website users
  • Contact website team

All content on this site is licensed under

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Presidential Executive Office2023
Events

Reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad

A reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Red Army’s victory over Nazi Germany troops in the Battle of Stalingrad was held at the Grand Kremlin Palace on behalf of the Russian President.

February 1, 2013
19:15
The Kremlin, Moscow
Speech at the reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
Speech at the reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
At the reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
At the reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
At the reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
At the reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
At the reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
At the reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.

The guests included Great Patriotic War veterans and participants in the Battle of Stalingrad Background information Battle of Stalingrad , Heroes of the Soviet Union, representatives of military-patriotic organisations, heads of veteran associations, cultural figures, art workers, and prominent public office holders.

Vladimir Putin spoke to veterans and presented some of them with copies of excerpts from printed Sovinformburo messages mentioning their deeds. Congratulating the veterans, the President read aloud one of combat bulletins telling about the courage of Stalingrad defenders, and mentioning, in particular, the name of junior sergeant Ivan Filatov.

Russia’s popular artists also congratulated the veterans by performing songs of wartime.

* * *

Speech at reception marking the 70th anniversary of victory in the Battle of Stalingrad

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Dear veterans, friends,

I congratulate you on the 70th anniversary of our victory in the Battle of Stalingrad. It is a victory that has been written into world history as the turning point in the war against Nazism.

The battle raged for 200 days and resulted in final defeat of the enemy’s largest army group. The entire World War II has been turned around on the Volga River. And it was our people, the Soviet soldiers, who did this, who brought freedom to Europe, who saved the world from destruction and slavery.

”We must do everything to ensure that the truth about Stalingrad and its memory never fade. We have to counter any attempts to distort the events of World War II, to adjust history for opportunistic political purposes, to shamelessly strike the heroic deeds of those who liberated the world from the pages of history.“

We hit our ferocious enemy that enjoyed the power of Blitzkrieg and impunity, with such unbending force, such might, as though the entire nation had risen up to defend Stalingrad.

The city of Stalingrad became a true legend, an unconquerable stronghold. It is a symbol of our spiritual strength and the unity of our multi-ethnic people, our people’s determination to overcome extreme, inhumane suffering in order to save the Fatherland.

The heroes of Stalingrad did more than just defend their homeland. They proved that truth, honour, dignity and love for the Fatherland are the strongest values that can’t be beaten.

The triumphant victory in this decisive battle boosted the Soviet soldiers’ morale and made the faith of our people even stronger. It inspired those who worked selflessly in the rear, gave strength to those fighting in guerrilla regiments, underground, and in the occupied territories. It took the battle against Nazi Germany throughout the entire world to a new level.

Stalingrad was, without a doubt, a turning point in the fate of whole nations and millions of people. It was from here, the unconquered city, that our troops started their journey toward Berlin.

To beat the enemy “the Stalingrad way” became the motto of everyone defending their homeland. And this steadfastness prevented the enemy from implementing any of its strategic goals.

It is also symbolic that General Paulus, who supervised Operation Barbarossa, a treacherous act of aggression against the Soviet Union, was captured near Stalingrad.

We must do everything to ensure that the truth about Stalingrad and its memory never fade. We have to counter any attempts to distort the events of World War II, to adjust history for opportunistic political purposes, to shamelessly strike the heroic deeds of those who liberated the world from the pages of history.

”Heroes are alive as long as they are remembered. The pinnacle of bravery and patriotism is the greatest legacy of the Battle of Stalingrad. And regardless of how many years pass, we will always honour its soldiers.“

The simple truth is that victory in that great battle was achieved by Soviet military commanders and ordinary soldiers. Their bravery and perseverance amazed and awed the entire world. These striking words have been inscribed in the granite on Mamayev Hill forever: “Were these people who went into attack, were they mortal?”

Heroes are alive as long as they are remembered. The pinnacle of bravery and patriotism is the greatest legacy of the Battle of Stalingrad. And regardless of how many years pass, we will always honour its soldiers. We will remember that all generations are forever indebted to the great victors. And we will look back on the past, on our history, to draw spiritual and moral strength, to learn to be victorious and to serve our Fatherland faithfully.

Today, I would like to thank all the veterans of the Great Patriotic War. All who bravely fought against the Nazis, whose lives were scorched by harsh wartime trials, who defended the freedom and independence of our nation.

I wish you good health and all the very best. Happy holiday!

Topics

  • Armed Forces
  • Culture

Publication status

Published in sections: News, Transcripts

Publication date: February 1, 2013, 19:15

Direct link: en.kremlin.ru/d/17413

Text version

Text
8
Photo

Share
Direct link
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/17413
Share
  • VK
  • LiveJournal
  • Send by email
  • Print
Send by email

Official Website of the President of Russia:

Reception marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/17413

Last updated at March 20, 2015, 18:01

Официальные сетевые ресурсы

Президента России

Official Internet Resources

of the President of Russia

Русский Английский
  • For the Media
  • Version for People with Disabilities
  • Telegram channel
  • YouTube Channel
  • State Insignia
  • Send a Letter
  • Vladimir Putin’s Personal Website
  • Putin. 20 years

Presidential Executive Office
2023