Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Official website of the State –
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On August 23, our country celebrates the Day of the defeat of German troops by Soviet troops in the Battle of Kursk.
The Battle of Kursk is one of the largest and most strategically important battles of the Great Patriotic War. It took place in the summer of 1943 between the Red Army and the Wehrmacht and lasted 50 days. The battle was of great importance for the outcome of the entire war and became a turning point that finally confirmed the superiority of the Soviet Union over Germany. It is no coincidence that this date was included in the list of Days of Military Glory of Russia.
In developing Operation Citadel, the German command sought to regain the initiative by attacking the salient of the front in the Kursk region, hoping to encircle the Soviet troops and deliver a crushing blow. In response, the Russians created a deeply echeloned system of fortifications. Therefore, the Battle of Kursk can be divided into two stages: defensive and offensive. Germany concentrated about 900 thousand soldiers, about 10 thousand artillery pieces, 2758 tanks and 2050 aircraft for the attack. 1.3 million Soviet soldiers prepared to defend their native land with the support of more than 19 thousand guns and mortars, 3444 tanks and 2172 aircraft.
The Nazi troops advanced on July 5. The Red Army steadfastly withstood the onslaught and, thanks to operational intelligence, even launched counterattacks. One of these was the famous battle near the village of Prokhorovka – the largest tank counter battle in world history, where our units clashed with the elite German divisions “Adolf Hitler”, “Reich” and “Death's Head”.
Soviet offensive operations began on July 17, when the enemy's pressure had not yet died down, so dividing the Battle of Kursk into stages is arbitrary. By the 23rd, the Russians had reached the positions of the fascist troops that they had occupied at the beginning of the battle, and then drove them westward.
The battle ended with the liberation of Orel, Belgorod and Kharkov. Kursk, Orel and Belgorod became the first cities to receive the honorary title of "City of Military Glory".
The German army lost not only the captured lands, about 500 thousand killed, wounded and captured soldiers, 1,500 tanks and 3,700 aircraft, but also the strategic offensive initiative.
The victory in the Battle of Kursk marked the beginning of the Red Army's liberation campaign into occupied Europe.
Among the participants in the turning point battle were several employees of the State University of Management, including two Heroes of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gureev and Pyotr Sedelnikov. The first commanded a mortar regiment and was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree, for his successful actions. The second, as part of the 237th Assault Aviation Regiment, received his baptism of fire in the skies over Kursk.
GUU congratulates everyone on this significant day. Glory to our heroic ancestors who defended the fatherland! And glory to their descendants who recently once again drove out the invaders from the Kursk land.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 08/23/2025
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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