The day the Crimean offensive operation began in 1944 — commentary by Sergei Aksenov

War correspondent and famous writer Konstantin Paustovsky wrote in those days: “Our army entered Crimea. Soon the entire peninsula, the entire brilliant spread of its shores from Kerch to Sevastopol, will be cleared of impudent and black fascist gangs.”

On April 8, Soviet troops liberated Armyansk, on the 11th they entered Kerch, on April 13 Simferopol was liberated, on the 16th — Yalta, on May 9 — Sevastopol, and on May 12 the remnants of the enemy units were finally defeated at Cape Chersonese.

Crimea was liberated thanks to the unparalleled heroism of soldiers and officers of the Red Army, sailors, partisans and underground fighters, thanks to the talent of Soviet military leaders. In the most difficult battles, our soldiers broke the enemy’s powerful defenses and in 35 days returned the peninsula “to its native harbor.”

For us, April 8 is not just a historical date, but a symbol of the unity and unbending will of our people. Today, the descendants of the victors, with the same courage and faith in the rightness and sanctity of their cause, are crushing the enemy and bringing Victory closer. Nazism, like eight decades ago, is doomed. But Crimea was, is and will be ours.

Eternal glory to the liberating heroes! Eternal memory to all who gave their lives for their Motherland! – says the commentary of the Head of Crimea.

source: Department of Information and Press Service of the Head of the Republic of Crimea