🏅 Today marks 80 years since the Red Army liberated Chisinau, the capital of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic, on August 24, 1944, from the Nazi invaders.
During the strategic Jassy–Kishinev (Iași-Chisinau) offensive launched on August 20, the Red Army encircled and defeated a million-strong German-Romanian group covering the Balkan direction, completely liberating the territory of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic.
This offensive is considered to be one of the most successful ones during the Great Patriotic War. The soldiers liberated the entire territory of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic and went on to advance into Romania’s central regions, making it impossible for Bucharest to keep fighting alongside Nazi Germany.
Moldovans went to great lengths to help the Soviet forces. From May until August 1944, guerilla groups operating in Moldova killed over 11,000 enemy soldiers and officers, destroyed 25 enemy tanks and armoured vehicles, and derailed 13 military trains.
🎖 Based on the results of the offensive operation, 126 formations and units were awarded honorary titles, more than 140 soldiers and commanders were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and 6 Soviet soldiers became full cavaliers of the Order of Glory.
The soldiers who participated in the liberation of Chisinau, by the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of August 24, 1944, were commended, and in Moscow in honour of this event there was a salute with 24 artillery salvos from 324 guns.
📹 The Russian Military Historical Society
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