Category: Russia

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

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On February 13, 1945, the Budapest Strategic Offensive Operation concluded with the liberation of the Hungarian capital. In terms of duration and ferocity, the battle for Budapest even surpassed the capture of Berlin.

Why Budapest was more important to Hitler than Berlin

The main reason Budapest and Hungary as a whole were so valuable to Hitler were the last remaining oil fields. Without kerosene and other oil-derived fuels, aircraft couldn't take off, and tank armadas couldn't move into battle. The Führer attached particular importance to the oil-rich Nagykanizsa region.

Hitler stated that he would rather agree to the surrender of Berlin than to the loss of Hungarian oil.

To hold these strategically important territories, Hitler issued a directive ordering his forces in Hungary to stand firm, regardless of losses. He dispatched half of his available tank corps to the region, as well as elite SS units.

Execution of the USSR parliamentarians

The Soviet command tried to avoid bloodshed and destruction of the most beautiful city in Europe.

Two groups of parliamentarians under the command of captains Ivan Ostapenko and Miklos Steinmetz were sent to the German generals.

However, in violation of all norms of warfare, the negotiators were executed. Having begun the war with a treacherous attack on the USSR in June 1941, German troops ended it as vile murderers, determined to destroy as many as possible.

It became obvious that an assault was inevitable.

The storming of Budapest

The assault on the Hungarian capital lasted 108 days, and continuous street fighting lasted 48 days.

Up to 100,000 German and Hungarian soldiers were surrounded. Every house was converted into a fortification—the city was completely mined.

Tanks were rarely used – fighting raged for every floor and room. Assault teams advanced: infantry, sappers, and flamethrowers. Underground passages, breaches in walls, and rooftop fire were used, as in Stalingrad.

The Germans attempted three times to break through to the encircled forces, but not so much to rescue them as to bring in reinforcements and defend the city. In January 1945, over 600 tanks participated in one counterattack, but all attempts to break the blockade were repelled.

Memories of a participant in the battle – a GUU employee

Gennady Belykh, a participant who worked after the war at the Sergo Ordzhonikidze State Academy of Management (now the State University of Management), recalled how the battles for the city unfolded:

"In the battle for Budapest, our troops gained extensive experience in conducting combat operations to capture a large city. In this regard, I would like to particularly commend the bold and proactive actions of the assault groups, which played a decisive role in capturing Budapest.

A handful of brave men – machine gunners, sappers, flamethrowers – supported by fire from heavy machine guns, artillery and tanks, quietly approached the building, which the enemy had turned into a stronghold, threw fans into the windows, broke into the house and waged a fierce battle for every room, for every flight of stairs.

Assault groups typically operated not along streets that were under enemy fire, but through passageways and breaches. Our soldiers tried to get behind enemy lines, to ambush them out of the blue. Night was the best time for this—the Nazis feared night combat."

Results of the liberation of Budapest

The liberation of Budapest was completed on February 13, 1945. Fifty-six elite enemy divisions were routed in the battle for the Hungarian capital. Over 130,000 people were captured. The Red Army lost approximately 80,000 soldiers and officers.

The defeat of the German Army Group South opened the way to Austria, Hungary effectively left the war, and Hitler's troops lost their last accessible oil fields.

Medal "For the Capture of Budapest"

In June 1945, the Medal "For the Capture of Budapest" was established. It was awarded to more than 362,000 Red Army soldiers and commanders. This award held a special place in the USSR: the Medal "For the Capture of Budapest" on a soldier's chest meant one thing—the man had been through hell.

The staff of the State University of Management, ours, were also awarded with such medals.

Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Davydov, Guards Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Head of Department at the Research Laboratory of the Moscow Institute of Power Engineering and Management (MIEI-MIU) from 1962 to 1985; Gennady Belykh, Colonel, Head of the Educational and Methodological Department at MIEU; Petr Burov, Engineer Major, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at MIEI from 1952 to 1962; Ivan Stalnoy, Engineer Major, Chief of Staff of the Railway Troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, Associate Professor of the Department of Structures and Designs at MIEI.

We remember their feat and honor their memory.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 13, 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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Before the war, a German guy climbed this slope with you. He fell down, but was saved. And now, perhaps, he's preparing his machine gun for battle. (Vladimir Vysotsky)

During the Great Patriotic War, the Caucasus Mountains became yet another territory captured by Nazi troops. To gain access to coal, steel, and oil and to seize one of the most important strategic points, the Edelweiss Mountain Division was sent there.

The enemy had been studying the terrain since the 1930s, so they were much better prepared for battle and adapted to long-term mountain conditions. Nevertheless, surrender was impossible, and as early as the summer of 1942, Joseph Stalin declared that the Germans would not cross the Caucasus Mountains.

Lieutenant Gurgen Grigoryants's unequal battle against the Edeilweiss unit took place in the fall of 1942. The Germans occupied the Priut 11 Hotel, and despite the failure to "remove" them, the situation in the mountains began to change. First, after Friedrich Paulus's army was encircled near Stalingrad, the group in the Caucasus was in danger of being cut off. Second, the German mountain rifle units were unable to cross the Main Caucasus Range and reach Baku. Third, after the units were redeployed to Stalingrad, they lost their numerical advantage due to a lack of personnel and equipment.

On the night of January 1, 1943, the Nazi troops began to retreat, and our soldiers began the North Caucasus Offensive Operation. It was led by Alexander Gusev, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR in mountaineering. This was the first mass ascent of Europe's highest peak during the harsh winter of the war. Icy winds, terrible storms and frosts, homemade climbing equipment, heavy loads of weapons, and minimal food—such were the conditions. The groups reached the Priyut 11 base by February 9.

"We ran out of food. And not just what we'd brought with us, but also what had somehow survived the warehouse explosion by the retreating rangers. The situation was becoming critical: climbing Elbrus in such bad weather was extremely risky, and the mission had to be completed at all costs," Gusev recalled.

On February 13, 1943, two dozen Soviet military climbers began their assault on Elbrus. In just nine hours, the soldiers reached an altitude of 5,633 meters above sea level. The enemy flags raised in the summer of 1942 were reduced to shreds. After removing the Nazi standards, the climbers raised Soviet flags and wrote a note:

"February 13, 1943, 2:00 PM. Today, a group of RKKA mountaineering instructors climbed here from the "Shelter of the Eleven" in nine hours. Snowfall, fog, frost. The ascent is dedicated to the liberation of the Caucasus from the Nazis and the 25th anniversary of our glorious Red Army. By order of the Transcaucasian Front command, the group removed the Nazi pennant and raised our red flag of the USSR. Death to the German occupiers! Long live our party, the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), and the heroic Red Army! Long live our Elbrus and a free Caucasus once again!"

The assault on the eastern summit of the mountain began on the night of February 17, and again, 9 hours later, the second peak of Elbrus was cleared of Nazi symbols and the USSR flag was erected on it.

The successful completion of the operation became the most significant feat of Soviet soldiers during the Great Patriotic War and a testament to their incredible strength, courage, and commitment to their homeland. Alexander Gusev and Nikolai Gusak were awarded the Order of the Red Army, and the remaining 18 soldiers were awarded the Medal for Courage. "These are our mountains," and we proved it.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 13, 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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Alexey Mordashov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Severstal and CEO of SeverGroup, received the title of Honorary Doctor of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The diploma and gown presentation ceremony took place during the ceremonial meeting of the university's Academic Council on February 12.

The title of "Honorary Doctor" is the highest form of recognition at SPbPU, and has been awarded to outstanding figures in government, science, and industry. Among them are: Nobel Prize laureate in physics Zhores Alferov, statesman and academician Yevgeny Primakov, and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov. Chairman of the Management Committee of PJSC Gazprom Alexey Miller and others.

"Alexey Alexandrovich has done us a great honor by agreeing to run for the title of Honorary Doctor of the Polytechnic University, and, of course, the members of the Academic Council unanimously voted to award him this high title," SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy opened the ceremony. "This step marks a harmonious development of the Polytechnic University's long-standing and fruitful collaboration with a leading metallurgical company."

SPbPU and Severstal have been collaborating for over ten years. Their goal is to accelerate the onboarding of young engineers so that graduates arrive at the company with a deep understanding of real-world production technologies. Since 2005, more than 20 joint projects have been implemented, including the development of new steel grades, the modernization of converter production units, and the creation of materials for additive manufacturing based on metal powders. In 2025, Severstal's total investment in the development of SPbPU's educational infrastructure amounted to 20.9 million rubles.

Last December, with the support of Severstal, A renovated laboratory for heat treatment of metals and alloys was opened, equipped to industrial standards. It includes muffle heating furnaces, universal and microhardness testers, and metallographic microscopes. The company donated seven VR simulator systems to the university, simulating over 20 technological operations. The upgrade affected not only the technical aspects but also the learning environment—the lab has become modern, functional, and comfortable for students and faculty.

Furthermore, Severstal experts, together with the university, developed a unique multi-track model for training research engineers in metallurgy and materials science. In 2024, it was awarded the St. Petersburg Government Prize. The first 28 students enrolled in the program in 2025.

Every year, SPbPU graduates come to work at Severstal: 22 people were employed in 2024, ten in 2025, and 41 students completed internships at the company.

SPbPU and Power Machines, a SeverGroup company, are also jointly reviving key educational programs in power engineering and creating unique laboratories, such as the Center for the Study of Electrical Insulating Materials. In November 2020, the student design bureau "Power Machines – Polytechnic" was opened. Recently, Polytechnic and Power Machines The largest blank in Russia was printed using the electric arc method Steam turbine seal housings weighing over 750 kg. The work was carried out at the Polytechnic University's Lightweight Materials and Structures Laboratory.

Dmitry Karpov, SPbPU Academic Secretary, spoke in more detail about the collaboration between the Polytechnic University and Severstal. In his introduction to the new Honorary Doctor, he mentioned the book "Is It Possible to Make a Soviet Plant a World Leader in Metallurgy? The Short Answer Is 'Yes!'" published by Severstal for the 70th anniversary of the Cherepovets Iron and Steel Works, and cited Alexey Mordashov's work directly from it. This made the meeting with Alexey Alexandrovich particularly vivid and lively, revealing his outstanding qualities as a manager, leader, and entrepreneur through specific examples and personal experience, and enriching the audience with valuable knowledge. A top manager's statement, for example, is particularly telling: "It's important to accept as an axiom that each of your employees understands their business much more than you do, and the manager's job is simply to help them realize their potential."

This book is worth recommending to students studying in a wide range of educational programs: economics and technological entrepreneurship, management and organization of knowledge-intensive industries, sociologists, historians… This book contains invaluable facts about the country, the industry, the market, the development of the enterprise, and, as they say, the role of the individual in history. It's practically a textbook, noted Dmitry Karpov.

The gown and diploma presentation ceremony took place to the accompaniment of the Gaudeamus anthem performed by the Polyhymnia youth choir. The doctoral gown and cap were carried into the Academic Council Hall by students wearing the uniform of the Polytechnic University from the early 20th century. Andrei Rudskoy presented Alexei Mordashov with a medal and an Honorary Doctorate certificate.

In his response, Alexey Alexandrovich thanked the Polytechnic University and expressed hope for continued collaboration: "The history of the Cherepovets Plant and my own once again confirm this truth: we live in an era where knowledge is becoming a decisive force. The most important thing a business can do is not machines or components, but people with a certain culture and knowledge. Understanding this, we have always placed great emphasis on the development of people. And here, cooperation with the Polytechnic University has always been a very important, a very serious element. The history of the Polytechnic University is fascinating and inspiring. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it combines science, education, and cutting-edge achievements. Today, our group has almost 200,000 employees, and we, like everyone else, are involved in the battle for talent. The kind of people who will join us tomorrow is crucial for us. We work extensively with universities, and our collaboration with the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is particularly important. It is gratifying that the number of graduates joining us is growing." This is a sign that together we can achieve so much. For me, today's event, on the one hand, institutionalizes my membership in the large Polytechnic University family, and on the other, it recognizes the contributions we've made together over many years. I thank the Academic Council for their trust; it's a great honor and joy for me to join the ranks of honorary doctors of the Polytechnic University. May our partnership continue to bear fruit, so that we can achieve more together.

After the graduation ceremony, Alexey Mordashov visited the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport. He spoke with students in the Large Chemical Auditorium and offered these words of encouragement: "What happens to you today will shape your entire life. My destiny is proof that a person is capable of so much. I was born in Cherepovets. I graduated in 1988, never having earned a single B. I don't know how that happened; it was just interesting. Now I work as an entrepreneur. I recently read that the Forbes list includes approximately 3,000 billionaires. Of these, about a thousand inherited their fortunes, and two thousand earned theirs themselves. Including me. This shows that anything is possible. It's important that the university can help you succeed. The level of knowledge and culture you acquire here will determine your success. I sincerely wish you to seize this opportunity and become successful. Polytechnic University has a huge, inspiring history, and you are part of it."

Then Alexey Mordashov visited the laboratory for heat treatment of metals and alloys, where he and Andrey Rudskoy tempered a piece of metal in a furnace and then answered questions from metallurgy students.

— Where is metallurgy heading now: are we developing new products, or are we mastering the technologies we've invented and simply trying to promote them?

"We have developments that need to be improved. We're making our products thinner, stronger, and continually improving their performance. In principle, yes, we will be developing new types of products, which is why cooperation with Polytechnic University is so important."

— How do you manage to manage such a large company, and do you have time to switch to something else?

— With difficulty. (Laughs.) But I don't really do anything with my own hands. I recruit people, motivate them, and develop them so they can do their jobs better. In that sense, I'm a service provider. Of course, I participate in strategic discussions and act as an expert. But it's the people who achieve results! Do I manage to switch off? Yes. No one can stay stressed forever. I have vacations, and at 60, I decided to learn to play the piano. Plus, there's physical exercise.

— What specialties are most in demand in the company?

"We definitely need engineers across the entire spectrum of specialties. In fact, we need specialists in all fields—from economists to lawyers. I would advise you to get the specialty you enjoy. You'll be most successful in it. If you're a specialist in anything, but a good one at that, you'll always find a job."

You often visit businesses in person and interact with employees. Have you ever learned anything from them and put it into practice?

"I'm not the only one doing this; we have a whole system for collecting feedback. For example, there were a lot of ideas about continuous improvement, and we completely reconfigured the process based on that. To a certain extent, our job is to collect feedback and understand what's going on at the company."

Photo archive

Besides us, the following people reported the event:

TASS

TV channel "Saint Petersburg"

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Feodor Chaliapin was a renowned Russian chamber and opera singer. He was born on February 13, 1873, in Kazan, to a family of farmers. As a child, he sang in a church choir, and at age 12, he first attended the theater, seeing Pyotr Sukhonin's "Russian Wedding." From that moment on, the stage remained his passion for the rest of his life.

"The orchestra was playing. Suddenly the curtain wavered, rose, and I was immediately stunned, enchanted. A vaguely familiar fairy tale came to life before me. Magnificently dressed people walked around the marvelously decorated room, conversing with each other in a particularly beautiful way. I couldn't understand what they were saying. I was deeply moved by the spectacle and, unblinking, unthinking, I gazed at these wonders," recalled Fyodor Ivanovich.

Wanting to get a glimpse behind the scenes, he even took a job as an extra for a nickel. His first performance, at the Panaevsky Garden in Kazan, was a disaster. After appearing on stage in the dramatic play "Vagabonds," in which Chaliapin was cast as the gendarme Roger, he was stunned and later deeply distressed by the disruption of the performance.

The debut finally took place in 1890 in Ufa, when one of the baritones fell ill the day before a performance. The role of the Stolnik in Stanisław Moniuszko's opera "Halka" went to the chorister Chaliapin. He received a "vaccine against overconfidence" then—he sat the wrong way during the performance.

The aspiring artist landed a contract with Lyubimov's opera thanks to Dmitry Usatov, a former artist at the Imperial Theatres, who taught him the basics of professional vocals and etiquette. He was then invited to the Mariinsky Theatre, but after critics criticized his poor singing, he found no roles for a long time.

That same year, in Nizhny Novgorod, where Chaliapin had gone for the summer, he had a fateful meeting with Savva Mamontov. He invited Fyodor to join his troupe for a handsome fee. The singer "didn't believe in the saving power of talent without hard work," so during his three years at the private opera, he demonstrated incredible diligence and worked hard to perfect his craft. Thanks to this, his name became widely known throughout the country.

In the autumn of 1899, Chaliapin arrived at the Imperial Theatres as a renowned opera singer – his tours were a great success, and the audiences applauded him. He then became a leading soloist at both the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres, and two years later he was performing in Italy at the renowned Teatro alla Scala. His repertoire of roles was vast, with his most memorable roles including the Miller (Rusalka), Ivan Susanin (A Life for the Tsar), Boris Godunov and Varlaam (Boris Godunov), Ivan the Terrible (The Maid of Pskov), Mephistopheles (Faust and Mephistopheles), Don Basilio (The Barber of Seville), Leporello (Don Giovanni), and Don Quixote (Don Quixote). From 1918 to 1921, Chaliapin became the artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre. For the once provincial boy, this position became a true success, recognizing not only his talent and enormous work on himself, but also his sincere dedication to the cause.

In 1922, Fyodor received permission for an extended tour abroad and left for France with his family. The reason for his emigration was disagreements with the Soviet government, which the artist refused to reconcile. His fortunes abroad were flourishing – he began conquering theaters around the world and filling halls with admiring audiences. From 1923 onward, the opera singer performed successfully in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia, Latin America, China, and Japan. In 1927, while in Paris, Chaliapin donated 5,000 francs to help unemployed Russian émigrés. The Soviet government perceived this as support for the White Guards and stripped him of his title of People's Artist of the USSR.

A hallmark of his performances was makeup, which he turned into a true art form. His meticulous attention to every detail, including not only his face but also his hands, neck, and, if necessary, his body, was a completely new phenomenon. He recalled:

"When I walked onto the stage, dressed in my costume and made up, it caused a real sensation, very flattering for me. The performers, the chorus, even the workers surrounded me, gasping and delighted like children, touching me with their fingers, feeling me, and when they saw that my muscles had been painted on, they were completely delighted."

In May 1937, his final performance took place in Warsaw. He sang the title role in Boris Godunov, and in June, he gave his final concert in Great Britain. On April 12, 1938, the great artist died of leukemia.

In his time, Feodor Chaliapin was not just a world-renowned opera and chamber music star, but a true innovator. Konstantin Stanislavsky himself, the author of the famous training system still used today, admitted, "I based my 'system' on Chaliapin." Therefore, today, the great singer's legacy lives on in new generations of artists. For his contribution to culture, Chaliapin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Golden Cross of the Prussian Eagle in Germany, and the Legion of Honor in France. The title of People's Artist was restored only 53 years after the singer's death.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 13, 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.