Volgograd

Stalingrad was renamed Volgograd in 1961 as part of the Soviet Union's de-Stalinization campaign under Nikita Khrushchev. The city had previously been called Tsaritsyn before being renamed Stalingrad in 1925. The name change was part of a broader effort to remove Stalin's name from places and institutions across the USSR.

The Battle of Stalingrad (1942–1943) is widely regarded as one of the deadliest battles in human history, with total casualties estimated at well over one million when combining both military and civilian losses. Soviet forces encircled and defeated the German 6th Army, marking a major turning point in World War II. The exact figure remains debated by historians.

Yes, the Mamayev Kurgan memorial complex in Volgograd is open to visitors and is one of the city's most significant historical sites. The complex is topped by "The Motherland Calls" statue, which is one of the tallest statues in the world. It commemorates the Soviet soldiers who died during the Battle of Stalingrad.

Volgograd sits on the western bank of the Volga River, the longest river in Europe. The Volga was a strategic objective during the Battle of Stalingrad, as controlling it meant controlling a vital supply route. The city's current name literally means "Volga city."