On September 8, 1941, the Siege of Leningrad began

On September 8, 1941, the blockade of Leningrad began.

👉 More than 2.5 million people, including 400,000 children, found themselves under siege. From the first days of the war, the city carried out mobilization, operated under martial law, and faced constant air raid alerts.

From autumn 1941, starvation set in: workers received 250 grams of bread per day, everyone else—125 grams. There was no water, electricity, or heating; people burned furniture, books, and anything combustible to stay warm and cook food. The only lifeline to the mainland was the 'Road of Life' across Lake Ladoga, which delivered weapons and food and evacuated the wounded—but supplies were catastrophically insufficient. Fascists continuously shelled Leningrad residents.

On January 18, 1943, the blockade was broken, and it was fully lifted on January 27, 1944. By then, only 560,000 residents remained in the city. According to various estimates, more than 1.5 million people died, 97% from starvation and cold.

🕯Leningrad became a symbol of unbreakable will and a great tragedy that must never be forgotten.