Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On February 2, our country celebrates the Day of Military Glory of Russia – the Day of the defeat of the Nazi German forces by Soviet troops in the Battle of Stalingrad.
The Battle of Stalingrad is one of the most monumental and tragic battles in human history. It lasted 200 days and nights—from July 17, 1942, to February 2, 1943—and became a turning point not only in the Great Patriotic War but also in the entire Second World War.
In the summer of 1942, the German command was pushing toward the Volga and the Caucasus. Capturing the oil regions would have meant the economic strangulation of the Soviet Union. Stalingrad was becoming the key to victory—for both the enemy and our country.
The fighting for the city was incredibly fierce. Every building, every floor, every stairwell, every basement was fought for. The Red October and Barrikady factories, along with the Stalingrad Tractor Plant, were reduced to ruins and simultaneously turned into fortresses. Soldiers lived underground, fighting for weeks, often without sleep, water, or food. The city was subjected to massive air raids. On August 23, 1942, Stalingrad was virtually wiped off the face of the earth—thousands of civilians perished in a single day. But even amidst the ruins, the struggle continued.
In the fall of 1942, the Soviet command prepared a counteroffensive codenamed "Uranus." Troops from three fronts—the Southwestern, Stalingrad, and Don—participated in the operation. They succeeded in creating a double and triple superiority of forces in key areas.
On November 19, 1942, the counteroffensive began. By November 23, the encirclement had closed. More than 300,000 Wehrmacht soldiers and officers, including Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus's 6th Army, were trapped in the "cauldron." German attempts to rescue the encircled troops failed. German aircraft dropped food and ammunition, but it was insufficient. Frost, hunger, disease, and the constant attacks of Soviet troops broke their resistance.
On January 31, 1943, the southern group of the enemy capitulated, along with Paulus himself.
On February 2, 1943, the northern group laid down its arms. The battle was over.
The enemy's losses were catastrophic:
32 divisions and 3 brigades were defeated,
about 1.5 million soldiers and officers were killed, wounded or captured,
For the first time in history, Germany experienced national mourning.
Stalingrad became a symbol of the collapse of the Nazi war machine. Following this victory, the strategic initiative forever passed to the Soviet Army. The liberation of occupied European territories began.
This date is especially important for the State University of Management.
Among the defenders of Stalingrad were our faculty, staff, graduates, and university students, who later returned and dedicated their lives to science and the education of future generations. Read more about them in our profiles. Their memories are living testimony to their courage, fortitude, and love for their homeland. They fought through fire and death so that today we can live in a free country.
Stalingrad is more than just a city. It is a symbol of how, even in the most inhumane conditions, a person can remain human. That love for one's homeland is stronger than fear and pain.
#ScientificRegiment2026
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 2, 2026.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.