Without any declaration of war, 75 years ago at 4:00 a.m., Nazi Germany troops pounced on the Soviet Union. The most dreadful, tragic and merciless conflict in the history of humanity lasted until May 9, 1945, and claimed the lives of some 26.6 million Soviet people, with most of them having been massacred or starved to death. Sputnik chronicles the first days of the war.
Moscow residents listen to the June 22 government radio announcement on the treacherous invasion of Nazi Germany.
"Our case is just. The enemy shall be defeated. Victory will be ours," Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov ended his speech to the Soviet people announcing the news of the war at 12:15 p.m.
"Our case is just. The enemy shall be defeated. Victory will be ours," Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov ended his speech to the Soviet people announcing the news of the war at 12:15 p.m.
2/14
© Sputnik / Peter Bernstein
Combat in Belarus. 1941.
3/14
© Sputnik
A girl with a kitten near a destroyed house.
4/14
© Sputnik
In 1940, Hitler signed the main directive code-named Barbarossa. On June 22, 1941 the German aviation started bombing Soviet cities.
5/14
© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin
Recruits leaving for the front during mobilization, Moscow, June 23, 1941.
6/14
© Sputnik / Kazimir Lishko
Kiev, June 23, 1941. Grushki district.
7/14
© Sputnik
Soviet fighters flying above the Peter and Paul fortress in Leningrad.
8/14
© Sputnik
Women and children hide at the Mayakovskaya subway station during an air raid.
9/14
© Sputnik / Alexander Ustinov
The Oktyabrsky Military Enlistment Office registering volunteers for the army. 1941.
10/14
© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin
Reserve forces in training. The barracks of the Voroshilov Regiment. Moscow. August 1941.
11/14
© Sputnik / Haldei
Soviet lady pilots of the 46th Guards Air Force Regiment near a dugout after daytime rest during the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War. From left: sitting - Heroes of the Soviet Union Irina Sebrova and Vera Belik. Standing - Hero of the Soviet Union Nadezhda Popova.
12/14
© Sputnik / Zelma
Soviet collective farmers examining a destroyed Nazi plane.
13/14
© Sputnik / Zelma
Civilians building barricades in Odessa.
14/14
© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin
Air-Defense Force searchlights illuminating the Moscow sky. June 1941.
