Vladimir Putin congratulated veterans on the 80th anniversary of breaking the siege of Leningrad

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with veterans of the Great Patriotic War, residents of besieged Leningrad and public figures. It is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the breaking of the siege of Leningrad and is held at the State Memorial Museum of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad in St. Petersburg.

“First of all, I want to address the veterans. I want to congratulate you on a significant event – the 80th anniversary of the breaking of the siege of Leningrad. This is a great event for us, not only for the defenders and residents of besieged Leningrad, but for the whole country,” the president said (quote from the broadcast “Komsomolskaya Pravda”).

Vladimir Putin also said that the issue of recognizing the genocide against the civilian population of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War is extremely important. “Of course, this issue was considered at one time in Nuremberg, and in general, assessments were given. But this is precisely in general and as a whole, because during the Nuremberg trials it was impossible to present and consider all the facts testifying to this genocide,” the president said.

On January 18, 1943, Soviet troops broke through the blockade ring of the German army around Leningrad. On this day, Shlisselburg was liberated and the entire southern coast of Lake Ladoga was cleared of the enemy. A corridor 8–11 km wide, cut along the coast, restored the land connection between Leningrad and the country. For 17 days, roads and railways were laid along the coast.

Erdni Kagaltynov