Russia Marks the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow
Moscow — June 22 is observed in Russia and several countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States as the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow.
On the morning of June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union. That attack marked the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, one of the most painful and decisive chapters in Soviet history.
On this day, Russians remember their relatives, compatriots, and all those who lost their lives during the war. Around 27 million Soviet citizens were killed in the conflict.
On the very first day of the war, words were spoken that reflected the determination of the Soviet people: “Our cause is just. The enemy will be defeated. Victory will be ours.”
During the Great Patriotic War, around 34 million people served in the Red Army. Nearly 8.7 million of them never returned home.
The war lasted 1,418 days and nights. It ended in Berlin, where the Red Banner was raised over the defeated Reichstag and Nazi Germany signed its unconditional surrender.
Russia observes this day as a solemn reminder of the struggle against fascism, the sacrifice of the Soviet people, and the importance of preserving historical memory.
