Russia commemorates victims of 1941 German invasion

Russia is marking one of its most tragic dates in history, June 22, 1941. On that day, the German military attacked the Soviet Union at 4 am, starting the Great Patriotic War. German bombers went 250-300 km deep through the border. Romania, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia and Finland were part of the German coalition.

The war lasted 1418 days and nights. The USSR lost 27 million people, 11.3 million of them on the frontlines, 4.5 million in guerilla warfare. About 6 million people were captured.

June 22 used to be a memorial day until 1992. It later became the Commemoration Day of Defenders of the Fatherland on July 13, 1992. Then, on June 8, 1996, it became the Day of Memory and Sorrow.

State flags are lowered on this day. All entertainment programs on TV and radio were cancelled.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will lay flowers to the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb in Moscow. He will be assisted by officials of the Federation Council, parliament, government, Presidential Administration, courts. Veterans were invited to join. Russians are lighting candles and laying flowers at memorials in various cities.

The traditional Alley of Memory was organized at the Vorobyovy Hills, attended by thousands. Young people were lighting candles together with veterans and tied bells to tree branches at 4 am so that every ringing would remind the price paid for the Victory.