Russia marks 80th anniversary of battle of Stalingrad
VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 1: Russia marked the 80th anniversary of the battle of Stalingrad, which changed the course of World War II, with various events in Volgograd, on Wednesday (Feb. 1).
As part of the events, a commemoration ceremony was held on behalf of those who died in the battle at the Panorama Museum of the battle of Stalingrad.
The US, with advanced weapons and well-equipped manpower, sided with the alliance led by Britain, seriously strengthening the Allies' hand, but one of the most important turning points in the war was the battle of Stalingrad (now Volgograd) in southwestern Russia.
The war in Europe ended with the Nazis' unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945, after Hitler and his wife Eva Braun, stuck in Berlin with Soviet and Western troops entering, committed suicide on April 30, 1945.
However, after Japan, which did not accept the terms of the Allies, refused to surrender despite its losses, the US dropped the first and so far only atomic bombs ever used in warfare, on the city of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945 and on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, forcing Japan to surrender.
World War II ended with Japan's surrender on Sept. 2, 1945. (Footage by Vladimir Aleksandrov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)