In the world's memory, the battle has become symbolic of senseless military brutality.

Survivors return from war without a soul.

Unfortunately, wiping out a major city with all its institutions and libraries seemed impossible. That also meant killing the future of the nation.

Embedded in the mud, every now and then, the pale forearm or leg of a German or a Russian soldier who had been buried where he fell.

Victory at Stalingrad did not change the fact that Russia was a devastated country. But it gave people a new sense of hope - and at least the possibility that they might survive.