Battle of Stalingrad: Russia marks 80th anniversary of Soviet victory, See photos

1/11

A giant statue of “Mother of the Homeland” is seen atop the memorial site on Mamayev Hill illuminated for marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the battle of Stalingrad in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, once known as Stalingrad. (AP photo)

2/11

People watch a ceremony at an embankment of the Volga River in Volgograd to mark the 80th anniversary of Soviet victory in the Battle of Stalingrad (Reuters photo)

3/11

A couple dressed in Red Army World War II winter uniforms dance as they take a part in an opening of the busts on the territory of the museum-panorama “Battle of Stalingrad” on eve of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary. (AP Photo)

4/11

“The Motherland Calls” monument is illuminated in red at the Mamayev Kurgan World War Two memorial complex in Volgograd (Reuters photo)

5/11

Members of honor guards march at the Tomb Stalingrad during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin Wall. (AP photo)

6/11

Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Volgograd Region Governor Andrei Bocharov and Presidential Envoy to the Southern Federal District Vladimir Ustinov, lays flowers on the tomb of Soviet Marshal Vasily Chuikov at the Mamayev Kurgan memorial complex. (Reuters photo)

7/11

The battle of Stalingrad turned the tide of World War II and is regarded as the bloodiest battle in history, with the death toll for soldiers and civilians estimated at about 2 million. (AP Photo)

8/11

A group of Soviet veterans dressed in Red Army World War II winter uniforms arrive to take a part in an opening of the busts of Soviet leader Josef Stalin, Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov, Marshal of the Soviet Union Aleksandr Vasilevsky on the territory of the museum-panorama “Battle of Stalingrad”. (AP photo)

9/11

A couple walks watching a light installation “The Bridge of Memory” at the Russian city of Stalingrad. (AP photo)

10/11

Red carnations are placed under the bronze bust of Soviet leader Josef Stalin, which was recently unveiled to mark the 80th anniversary of the Red Army’s defeat of Nazi Germany’s troops in the Battle of Stalingrad. (Reuters photo)

11/11

A fountain is illuminated during a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of Soviet victory (Reuters photo)