Support The Moscow Times!
Contribute today

Tanks and Flowers: St. Petersburg Celebrates End of Leningrad Siege (in Photos)

St. Petersburg marked the 75th anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad this weekend with a military parade in the center of the city and commemorations of the fallen.

The World War II-era siege, which lasted for 872 days and killed an estimated one million people, is remembered every year on Jan. 27 — the day it was lifted by Soviet troops in 1944.

Commemorations began at the Piskaryovskoye Cemetary, where half a million civilians who died in the siege are buried. Mourners carried wreaths and carnations to place at the foot of the Motherland statue throughout the weekend. Daniel Kozin / MT
President Vladimir Putin, a native of the city whose brother died in the siege, laid flowers at the site. Kremlin.ru
This year, one of the highlights of the commemoration was a military parade in St. Petersburg's Palace Square that began on the morning of Jan. 27. Alexander Demyanchuk / TASS
Troops wore Red Army uniforms to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the city. Peter Kovalyov / TASS
An estimated 2,500 soldiers participated in the parade. Peter Kovalyov / TASS
Over 100 pieces of World War II-era military equipment were used in the events. Alexander Demyanchuk / TASS
Soldiers were happy to pose for photographs after the parade ended. Daniel Kozin / MT
The heavy military hardware struck an imposing site along St. Petersburg's canals. Peter Kovalyov / TASS
Other events on Sunday included film screenings, concerts, military re-enactments and fireworks. Daniel Kozin / MT
Read more about: St. Petersburg , WW2

More image galleries

In Photos: Russia Hosts BRICS Summit in Kazan

Leaders of BRICS members were joined by the leaders of Turkey, Belarus, Venezuela and others.
1 Min read

In Russia's Tver Region, a Mailwoman Is Villagers' Connection to the World

Postwoman Tatyana Voronkova delivers mail, periodicals and groceries to residents of the village of Kemtsy.
1 Min read

In Photos: Moscow Bakes as City Sets New Daily Heat Record

Temperatures climbed to 26.2 degrees Celsius (79.16 degrees Fahrenheit) in Moscow last week Friday, making it the hottest Sept. 13 on record. Friday beat...
1 Min read

In Photos: Northern Lights Illuminate Skys Across Russia

Images capturing the vibrant scarlet and green auroras were shared online from the western Pskov region to eastern Siberia.
1 Min read