The Russian Ministry of Defense published unique declassified documents about the Battle of Kursk

sputniknews.com• August 23, 2018 17:10

The Russian Ministry of Defense has released unique declassified documents, telling about the events of the Great Patriotic War in the summer of 1943. The publication is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kursk, which took place from July 5 to August 23.

Battle of Kursk

Viewers could see with their own eyes the order issued by Supreme Commander Joseph Stalin on August 23, according to which the units that participated in the liberation of the cities of Belgorod, Kursk and Kharkov were awarded honorary names. In honor of the Soviet soldiers, for the first time in the history of the country, in August 1943, fireworks were set off in Moscow.

In addition, the directive of the Supreme Command Headquarters on approving the plan to liberate Kharkov was also announced. The Kursk operation became one of the final key points of the strategic offensive organized by the Soviet army.

The plan adopted by the Supreme Command to carry out the "Rumyantsev" operation, the purpose of which was to capture the city of Kharkov

Orders issued to units of the Bryansk Front on July 10 required the commanders of rifle units to explain to their soldiers how to fight the latest German heavy tank, the "Tiger". During the battle for Kursk, Soviet soldiers shattered the myth of the tank's invincibility.

Page of the photo album "Artillery in the fight against enemy tanks and self-propelled guns from July 5 to 31, 1943"

In addition, the website also posts certificates of merit.

Medal of Merit of Hero of the Soviet Union Kuzma Bisarev

The Battle of Kursk became one of the largest and most important battles of the Great Patriotic War. It was the largest tank battle in world history. As a result, the Soviet army liberated the cities of Belgorod and Kharkov. After the end of the battle on this front, the Soviet Union finally gained the strategic initiative.