The Eternal Flame is pictured at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery as people mourn the victims who died during the Siege of Leningrad in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jan. 27, 2025. St. Petersburg commemorated the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad on Monday with a series of solemn events, including flower-laying ceremonies, thematic exhibitions, and candlelight vigils. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)
ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russia's St. Petersburg commemorated the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad on Monday with a series of solemn events, including flower-laying ceremonies, thematic exhibitions, and candlelight vigils.
The Peter and Paul Fortress fired a salute, and torches were lit on the Rostral Columns as part of the traditional commemorations. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at St. Petersburg and attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery, where he joined local residents in mourning the victims who died during the siege.
Governor Alexander Beglov emphasized the significance of the day in an online statement, calling the liberation of Leningrad "sacred" and paying tribute to the city's residents, defenders, and survivors. He expressed deep gratitude to the veterans and those who lived through the blockade, acknowledging their resilience and sacrifice.
The city, then called Leningrad, endured a 872-day blockade by Nazi German forces during World War II. The siege, which lasted from Sept. 8, 1941, to Jan. 27, 1944, resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 people from starvation and bombings. More than 3,000 buildings were destroyed. ■
A guard of honor proceeds during a flower-laying ceremony commemorating victims who died during the Siege of Leningrad at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jan. 27, 2025. St. Petersburg commemorated the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad on Monday with a series of solemn events, including flower-laying ceremonies, thematic exhibitions, and candlelight vigils. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)
The Eternal Flame is pictured at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery as people mourn the victims who died during the Siege of Leningrad in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jan. 27, 2025. St. Petersburg commemorated the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad on Monday with a series of solemn events, including flower-laying ceremonies, thematic exhibitions, and candlelight vigils. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)
People mourn the victims who died during the Siege of Leningrad at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jan. 27, 2025. St. Petersburg commemorated the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad on Monday with a series of solemn events, including flower-laying ceremonies, thematic exhibitions, and candlelight vigils. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)
People carry a wreath and flower bouquets as tribute to the victims who died during the Siege of Leningrad at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jan. 27, 2025. St. Petersburg commemorated the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad on Monday with a series of solemn events, including flower-laying ceremonies, thematic exhibitions, and candlelight vigils. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)
People mourn the victims who died during the Siege of Leningrad at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jan. 27, 2025. St. Petersburg commemorated the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad on Monday with a series of solemn events, including flower-laying ceremonies, thematic exhibitions, and candlelight vigils. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)
Flowers are laid to mourn the victims who died during the Siege of Leningrad at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jan. 27, 2025. St. Petersburg commemorated the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad on Monday with a series of solemn events, including flower-laying ceremonies, thematic exhibitions, and candlelight vigils. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)
A resident lays flowers as tribute to the victims who died during the Siege of Leningrad at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jan. 27, 2025. St. Petersburg commemorated the 81st anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad on Monday with a series of solemn events, including flower-laying ceremonies, thematic exhibitions, and candlelight vigils. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua)
