Published on: 2026-08-05
Source: Official website of the State –
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On August 5, 1943, exactly 82 years ago, the night sky of Moscow was lit up by twelve volleys from 124 anti-aircraft guns. This is how the country marked the capture of Orel and Belgorod, which became a turning point in the Great Patriotic War.
It was not just a festive fireworks display, but a symbol that the strategic initiative in the Great Patriotic War had definitively passed to the Red Army.
Orel and Belgorod – the cities of the first salute
The operation to liberate the city of Orel was called ‘Kutuzov’ and lasted from July 12 to August 18, 1943.
The offensive began with a powerful artillery barrage. Progress was difficult: the area was heavily fortified with minefields and pillboxes. Nevertheless, by the end of July, Soviet troops broke through the defenses and began capturing the city.
On August 5, 1943, units of the Red Army completely cleared Oryol of the invaders.
The liberation of the city of Belgorod took place during the operation “Commander Rumyantsev,” which was conducted from August 3 to 23, 1943. This operation was the final chord of the Battle of Kursk.
The enemy established seven powerful defensive lines near Belgorod with a total depth of up to 90 kilometers. On the morning of August 3, after an airstrike and artillery preparation, Soviet tank corps broke through the defense. Guards armies were introduced into the breakthrough. The German command desperately tried to hold the city by deploying reserves, but was unable to stop the avalanche of Soviet troops.
Already by August 5, Belgorod was liberated by a swift assault. Continuing the offensive, Soviet forces liberated Kharkov on August 23, marking the final collapse of the German defense in the south.
The first salute in honor of the Soviet soldiers
The liberation of Orel and Belgorod in a single day not only became a symbol of a turning point in the war but also served as the occasion for a celebratory salute.
“… Even in ancient times, when troops scored victories, bells were rung in honor of the commanders and their forces. And it would be good for us to somehow celebrate victories more tangibly, not just with congratulatory orders,” General of the Army Sergey Shtemenko later recalled Joseph Stalin’s words.
The main fireworks point was located in the Kremlin. The other guns were distributed across different districts of Moscow—at stadiums and wastelands. Every Muscovite was supposed to see and hear the victory salute.
According to Stalin’s order, on the night of August 5 to 6, 12 artillery salvos were fired in the capital from 124 guns at intervals of 30 seconds. The firing with blank charges was carried out by 100 anti-aircraft guns and 24 mountain guns of the Kremlin division.
Salutes during the war years
Since then, the most important victories on the front in Moscow have been marked by salvos of artillery guns.
During the entire war, more than three hundred and fifty salutes were fired. Three categories of them were established:
- The 1st – 24 volleys from 324 guns (liberation of the capitals of allied republics and in honor of particularly outstanding events) — 25 were fired;
- The 2nd – 20 salvos from 224 guns (liberation of large cities, crossing large rivers) — 206 were fired;
- 3rd – 12 salvos from 124 guns (capturing railway and highway junctions and large settlements) — 122 were fired.
On Victory Day, May 9, 1945, 30 volleys were fired from 1,000 guns.
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