From Russia with love...

Wars always begin suddenly. In 1941 the most horrible, the closest war for Russia began – the World War II. They say we could not stop the fascists without heavy losses.

Russia lost over 26 MILLION PEOPLE. 26 MILLION PEOPLE – this figure sounds like a verdict. Just imagine – it is the population of the whole country like Norway.
In Berlin operation in 1945 at the end of the War over 2.5 million soldiers and officers were involved. There were 6250 tanks and self-propelled mountings, 7500 planes. During the first day of the liberation the Red Army lost over 15 000 soldiers and officers. During the whole Berlin operation about 352 000 people were killed. The battling lasted for two weeks. The Russian army smashed 70 infantry, 12 armoured and 11 motorized divisions. 480 000 people were taken prisoner.

On the 9th of May it was announced that Germany signed the act of unconditional surrender. On the 24th of June there was a victory parade in the Red Square.

It’s difficult for us - Russian people - to remember what happened there during the World War II. Difficult to look at our miserable worn-out elderly people who had lived through it. There is almost no family in Russia who has not lost somebody – a wife, a husband, children, parents, sisters and brothers – in the World War II.
The Victory Day celebrated in Russia on the 9th of May is one of the most respected, the saddiest but at the same time the happiest holiday.

Glory, glory to the people who struggled for the sake of their country! May their memory live on forever!