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

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.

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

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.

Soviet soldiers disembark from a tank during 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.

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.

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."

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