The first recommended city to visit is Volgograd. The monument to the “Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad” on Mamayev Kurgan is known to almost everyone in Russia. The main statue of the complex, “The Homeland Calls!” the sculptor Evgeniy Vuchetich and the architect Nikolai Nikitin, it is considered one of the tallest in the world. On the night of May 9, a light show dedicated to the Battle of Stalingrad will take place on Mamayev Kurgan: the monument is beautifully illuminated, and newsreel footage is shown to the public.
The eternal flame in the Hall of Military Glory on the territory of the memorial complex “Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad” on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd. Photo: Pavel Bednyakov/RIA Novosti
Rzhev is the next city that bears the memory of World War II. In October 1941, the Germans entered Rzhev, the city was liberated for more than a year: from January 42 to March 43. Now a memorial on the M9 highway, at the turnoff to the village of Khoroshevo, remembers those events: it was in this place that one of the most difficult battles took place. The monument is very impressive: the figure of a soldier has birds instead of legs and seems to float in the air. In the nearby museum pavilion you can find letters, photographs and souvenirs of the participants in the Battle of Rzhev.
Rzhev monument to the Soviet soldier in the Tver region. Photo: Evgeny Odinokov/RIA Novosti
Previously, the city of Tver was called Kalinin and, like other participants in the national team, took part in the Second World War. From mid-October to mid-December 1941 it was occupied by the Nazis. The Victory Obelisk, inaugurated in 1970, is dedicated to the liberation of the city. In the park near Komsomolskaya Square in the city there is another interesting monument, which appeared not so long ago, in 2011: four tank crewmen are depicted as if in motion, with emotions on their faces. The monument is dedicated to Stepan Gorobets’ tank brigade, which managed to break into occupied Kalinin and inflict enormous damage on the enemy. The crew commander subsequently died near Rzhev in 1942.
Obelisk of Victory in Tver. Photo: iStock
One of the most important battles of World War II was the Battle of Kursk, so it is also recommended to visit this region for educational purposes. The Kursk region was occupied for a long time: from the beginning of October 1941 to September 1943. In 2023, a large monument dedicated to the feat of the heroes of the Kursk battle – a Soviet soldier was opened in the Kursk region prevents the closure of two enormous walls. The second phase of the monument will open in 2025. Kursk itself also has several monuments dedicated to fallen soldiers.
It is recommended to visit Murmansk, where about two hundred thousand bombs were dropped during the war. The Nazis planned to take control of the populated areas of the Arctic, so the North fell on hard times during World War II.
Voronezh also contributed to the overall victory. Hitler’s troops occupied its right bank for more than two hundred days and fierce battles were fought for the city. Today, numerous monuments remember those times. In the center of the city there is a memorial “Victory Square”: twelve figures stand side by side, symbolizing the unity of the Soviet people. Another memorial complex that will hardly leave anyone indifferent is called “Monument of Glory” and represents the reclining figure of a warrior.
Smolensk became one of the first Soviet cities on the way to the invaders. The Battle of Smolensk began on July 10, 1941 and ended in September. To learn more about Smolensk during World War II, we recommend visiting Readovsky Park and seeing the Mound of Immortality. In the center of Smolensk there is another unusual monument, dedicated to the poet Alexander Tvardovsky and his most famous hero, Vasily Terkin: in it Terkin and Tvardovsky talk like good comrades.
Tula is another place during World War II, in the surroundings of which intense battles were fought. This is not surprising: the city is on the way to Moscow and, moreover, there were many important companies there. It’s hard to imagine now that this brilliant city with many great restaurants and attractions was ever so tough. The monument to the “Three Bayonets” reminds us how the soldiers defended the city: nearby are the figures of a soldier and a worker, and three steel bayonets cover the eternal flame.
Also recommended for visiting Rostov-on-Don. The time of the first occupation of the city in November 1941 is called the “bloody week”: hundreds of civilians were killed in eight days. The second occupation lasted much longer: 205 days, from July 1942 to February 1943. Tens of thousands of Jews were exterminated in Zmievskaya Balka; Now the “Victims of Fascism” memorial complex remembers those terrible events. It is very difficult to look at this monument, but many come to Rostov specifically to see it. Today you can reach Rostov-on-Don by bus or train. According to Tutu.ru analysts, in 2023 the number of train ticket buyers in the application increased by 32% and the share of train tickets purchased increased by 27%. Travelers are also increasingly looking at train reviews and ratings before deciding to buy a ticket. The number of users who issue a train ticket in advance and pay for it later has also increased.
In addition, for the May holidays, train departures were added between the two main cities participating in World War II: Moscow and Saint Petersburg. More Sapsan planes appeared along the route. Thus, train No. 786 will leave the capital on May 8 at 9:00 p.m., as well as train No. 766 will circulate on May 1, 4, 9, 10 and 11 at 11:40 a.m. “Sapsan” will continue without stops. From St. Petersburg to Moscow, additional train No. 763 departs on May 1, 4, 9, 10 and 11 at 11:00 and will continue without stops. In addition, train No. 765 will leave the northern capital on May 8 at 11:07 with stops in Chudov and Bologoye. In addition, due to the double train, the number of seats was increased on trains No. 754 departing on May 6 and 13, as well as No. 777 on May 5 and 12.
Also, in honor of Victory Day, Russian Railways launched a special promotion for passengers: tickets in basic and economy classes for Lastochka trains, which will depart on May 9 from St. Petersburg, Kostroma and Nizhny Novgorod to Moscow , can be purchased at a fixed price. price – 1945 rubles.
