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Battle of Kursk: The Soviet Victory That Shaped WWII's Outcome

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Eighty years ago, the Soviet Red Army prevailed over Nazi German forces in a fierce and bloody battle that essentially sealed the outcome of the World War II in Europe – the Battle of Kursk.
The battle, which started as a Nazi German attempt to deliver a decisive blow to Soviet forces, turned into a crushing defeat for the Nazis that paved the way for the Soviets to reclaim their occupied territory and push all the way to Berlin.
With about two million troops, 6,000 tanks and 4,000 aircraft involved in total, the Battle of Kursk is known to this day as the largest tank battle in history.
© Sputnik / Ivan Shagin / Go to the mediabank

The battle started on July 5, 1943, when the Nazis launched an attack on the Soviet salient around the city of Kursk.

Above: Forces of the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army units launch an attack near the village of Prokhorovka during the Battle of Kursk.

The battle started on July 5, 1943, when the Nazis launched an attack on the Soviet salient around the city of Kursk.Above: Forces of the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army units launch an attack near the village of Prokhorovka during the Battle of Kursk. - Sputnik International
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The battle started on July 5, 1943, when the Nazis launched an attack on the Soviet salient around the city of Kursk.

Above: Forces of the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army units launch an attack near the village of Prokhorovka during the Battle of Kursk.

© Sputnik / Victor Kinelovsky / Go to the mediabank

German soldier sits next to a destroyed SIG.33 150mm heavy infantry gun.

German soldier sits next to a destroyed SIG.33 150mm heavy infantry gun. - Sputnik International
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German soldier sits next to a destroyed SIG.33 150mm heavy infantry gun.

© Sputnik / Mark Redkin / Go to the mediabank

The Nazis sought to cut off and destroy the Soviet troops in the salient. The Soviet command, however, had other ideas.

Above: Soviet soldiers march towards their deployment areas during the Battle of Kursk.

The Nazis sought to cut off and destroy the Soviet troops in the salient. The Soviet command, however, had other ideas.Above: Soviet soldiers march towards their deployment areas during the Battle of Kursk. - Sputnik International
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The Nazis sought to cut off and destroy the Soviet troops in the salient. The Soviet command, however, had other ideas.

Above: Soviet soldiers march towards their deployment areas during the Battle of Kursk.

© Sputnik / Peter Bershtein  / Go to the mediabank

Soviet soldiers disembark from a tank during the Battle of Kursk.

Soviet soldiers disembark from a tank during the Battle of Kursk. - Sputnik International
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Soviet soldiers disembark from a tank during the Battle of Kursk.

© Sputnik / Ryazanov / Go to the mediabank

Unbeknownst to the Nazi strategists, the Soviet leadership figured out their plans and prepared accordingly.

Above: Destroyed German armor seen at the site of the Battle of Kursk.

Unbeknownst to the Nazi strategists, the Soviet leadership figured out their plans and prepared accordingly.Above: Destroyed German armor seen at the site of the Battle of Kursk. - Sputnik International
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Unbeknownst to the Nazi strategists, the Soviet leadership figured out their plans and prepared accordingly.

Above: Destroyed German armor seen at the site of the Battle of Kursk.

© Sputnik / Israel Ozorski / Go to the mediabank

The advancing Nazi German forces marched straight into a network of minefields and anti-tank defenses, suffering heavy losses before the Red Army troops launched their counterattack.

Above: Soviet combat engineers sweep the area for mines in the aftermath of the Battle of Kursk.

The advancing Nazi German forces marched straight into a network of minefields and anti-tank defenses, suffering heavy losses before the Red Army troops launched their counterattack.Above: Soviet combat engineers sweep the area for mines in the aftermath of the Battle of Kursk. - Sputnik International
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The advancing Nazi German forces marched straight into a network of minefields and anti-tank defenses, suffering heavy losses before the Red Army troops launched their counterattack.

Above: Soviet combat engineers sweep the area for mines in the aftermath of the Battle of Kursk.

© Sputnik / Olga Lander / Go to the mediabank

Having successfully repelled the Nazi German offensive at the Kursk salient, the Soviets on August 3, 1943, launched an offensive of their own, codenamed "Polkovodets Rumyantsev."

Above: Soviet flight crew confirm their orders during operation "Polkovodets Rumyantsev."

Having successfully repelled the Nazi German offensive at the Kursk salient, the Soviets on August 3, 1943, launched an offensive of their own, codenamed "Polkovodets Rumyantsev."Above: Soviet flight crew confirm their orders during operation "Polkovodets Rumyantsev." - Sputnik International
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Having successfully repelled the Nazi German offensive at the Kursk salient, the Soviets on August 3, 1943, launched an offensive of their own, codenamed "Polkovodets Rumyantsev."

Above: Soviet flight crew confirm their orders during operation "Polkovodets Rumyantsev."

© Sputnik / Olga Lander / Go to the mediabank

The Soviet operation was a resounding success, with the advancing Russian troops driving the Nazis from Belgorod and liberating Kharkov.

Above: Soviet troops move along the roads of the liberated Kharkov.

The Soviet operation was a resounding success, with the advancing Russian troops driving the Nazis from Belgorod and liberating Kharkov.Above: Soviet troops move along the roads of the liberated Kharkov. - Sputnik International
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The Soviet operation was a resounding success, with the advancing Russian troops driving the Nazis from Belgorod and liberating Kharkov.

Above: Soviet troops move along the roads of the liberated Kharkov.

© Photo : Public domain

The liberation of Kharkov on August 23, 1943, marks the official end of the Battle of Kursk.

The liberation of Kharkov on August 23, 1943, marks the official end of the Battle of Kursk. - Sputnik International
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The liberation of Kharkov on August 23, 1943, marks the official end of the Battle of Kursk.

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