Russia marks anniversary of Stalingrad battle

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-03-2008 09:08

Russia has marked the 65th anniversary of the end of the Stalingrad battle.

First Deputy Prime Minister and presidential  front-runner Dmitry Medvedev lays flowers at  the memorial built to honor those who died  in the Battle of Stalingrad during World War  II, in Volgograd, Russia, Saturday, Feb. 2,  2008. (AP Photo/Sergei Karpukhin, Pool)

Germany's defeat in the battle was a turning point in World War Two.

First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev joined war veterans and the public marking the defense of Stalingrad on Saturday.

Medvedev met with survivors and had a traditional shot of vodka in memory of those who died.

One million Soviet soldiers and civilians were killed in fighting in and around the city in addition to hundreds of thousands of German soldiers.

A World War II veteran stands in front of a giant  statue of 'Mother of the Homeland,' a part of the  memorial on Mamayev Hill built to honor those who  died during the Battle of Stalingrad during World  War II, in Volgograd, Russia, Saturday, Feb. 2,  2008. (AP Photo/Sergei Karpukhin, Pool)

Editor:Zhang Pengfei