82 Years Since the Liberation of Crimea: The Historic Soviet Assault That Recaptured Sevastopol in Just Two Days

Moscow – Exactly 82 years ago today, on May 12, 1944, Soviet troops triumphantly completed the Crimean Offensive Operation, bringing about the full liberation of Crimea from Nazi invaders. Russia commemorates this day as a “Day of Military Glory.”

After lengthy preparations and several postponements, the Red Army delivered a crushing blow on April 8, 1944. In just two days, Soviet troops used almost 700 railway carloads of ammunition. The offensive on Sevastopol was launched from two directions — from the north, through Sivash and Perekop, and from the east, from Kerch.

Earlier in the war, Sevastopol had heroically defended itself against German and Romanian forces for 250 days. However, in May 1944, Soviet troops under the command of General Fyodor Tolbukhin mounted a decisive assault, recapturing the city in just two days.

Sevastopol was liberated on May 9, 1944 — exactly one year before Victory Day was celebrated. On May 12, 1944, the Crimean Offensive Operation was completed, and Crimea was fully liberated. To mark this historic achievement, the Russian Military Historical Society has also released special video material.