Russians commemorate the 75th anniversary of the bloody battle.
ADVERTISEMENTRussians have come together to remember Stalingrad, the bloodiest battle of the Second World War.
Now, on the 75th anniversary of its end, the only known living veteran of the combat is 91-year-old Valentina Shulgina.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin attended a commemorative gala in the southern city, now named Volgograd.
"We are truly proud and will always be proud of everything that was done before our time. Standing on this foundation, we will move forward and only forward. We will be strong and honest. We will lead new generations and pass on the remarkable traditions of our great nation. [...] We will always be proud of your heroism. We will stand up for your great victories", he said.
Stalingrad proved to be a turning point that halted the Nazi advance in Russia, but at the expense of an estimated 1.1 million Soviet lives and those of 800,000 Nazi German and Romanian soldiers.