Russia marks 70 years of the Siege of Leningrad

Today, January 27^th, Russia celebrates the 70th anniversary of the siege of Leningrad. The date of January 27 is the day of Russian military glory.  On this day, in 1944, Soviet troops lifted the blockade of the city of Leningrad by German fascist invaders.

A military parade was conducted in St. Petersburg to mark the date. The parade displayed military vehicles of the WWII era and modern times. T-34 tanks rolled next to Iskander missile complexes. In the evening, a minute of silence was held to honor the memory of those, who died in the siege.

Hundreds of thousands of city residents died during the blockade of Leningrad because of famine and harsh winter conditions.

In the occupied Leningrad, cultural and intellectual life continued. In the summer of 1942, several schools, theaters and cinemas were opened and several jazz concerts took place.