Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
The German command was convinced that the main Soviet forces had already been crushed and therefore did not anticipate a major counter-offensive. As a result, the enemy faltered and was forced into retreat. The Red Army went on to liberate Kalinin, Klin, Istra, Volokolamsk, and other towns near Moscow.
The counter-offensive involved more than 1 million Soviet soldiers, supported by thousands of artillery pieces, tanks, and aircraft, despite severe winter conditions reaching –30°C. Already on January 8, 1942, the maneuver expanded into a full-scale general offensive – the Rzhev-Vyazma strategic operation began.
As a result of the Battle of Moscow, the Wehrmacht suffered heavy losses – up to 500,000 casualties – marking its first major strategic defeat in World War II and shattering the myth of its invincibility. The enemy forces were pushed back 100-250 km from the Soviet capital.
#Victory81
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
❤3
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
⚔️ On January 8, 1942, the #BattleOfRzhev commenced – one of the most large-scale and brutal battles of the Great Patriotic War, lasting 438 days.
The chronology of the battle includes four offensive operations carried out by Soviet forces of the Western Front (Commander – Georgy Zhukov) and the Kalinin Front (Commander – Ivan Konev) against Germany’s Army Group Centre. Their objective was to liberate Rzhev, Sychevka, and Vyazma, thereby eliminating the Rzhev-Vyazma salient.
In the Rzhev sector, the Wehrmacht deployed one of its largest groupings – 1,569,000 personnel, around 13,000 artillery pieces, and 1,100 tanks. These forces were tied down in prolonged fighting with the Red Army and could not be redeployed to other key sectors of the front – the Caucasus and Stalingrad.
In the winter of 1943, following the crushing defeat of Nazi forces at Stalingrad, when the strategic initiative finally shifted to the USSR, the German command decided to abandon the Rzhev-Vyazma salient. The pursuit of the retreating enemy, from March 2-31, 1943, pushed the front line 130-160 kilometres farther away from Moscow.
On March 3, 1943, Rzhev was fully liberated.
🕯 The offensive and defensive operations conducted by the Western and Kalinin Fronts were of decisive strategic importance in achieving the turning point in favour of the Red Army across the entire Soviet-German theatre of war. The feat of Soviet soldiers is eternal and shall never be forgotten.
In 2020, at the initiative of Great Patriotic War veterans and the Russian Military Historical Society, and with the participation of President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the Rzhev Memorial was unveiled at the site of the fierce battles of 1942-1943 – a 25-metre figure of a soldier, rising above the field and seemingly dissolving into a flock of cranes, symbolising the souls of fallen soldiers – perished, yet never forgotten.
#Victory81 #WeRemember
The chronology of the battle includes four offensive operations carried out by Soviet forces of the Western Front (Commander – Georgy Zhukov) and the Kalinin Front (Commander – Ivan Konev) against Germany’s Army Group Centre. Their objective was to liberate Rzhev, Sychevka, and Vyazma, thereby eliminating the Rzhev-Vyazma salient.
In the Rzhev sector, the Wehrmacht deployed one of its largest groupings – 1,569,000 personnel, around 13,000 artillery pieces, and 1,100 tanks. These forces were tied down in prolonged fighting with the Red Army and could not be redeployed to other key sectors of the front – the Caucasus and Stalingrad.
In the winter of 1943, following the crushing defeat of Nazi forces at Stalingrad, when the strategic initiative finally shifted to the USSR, the German command decided to abandon the Rzhev-Vyazma salient. The pursuit of the retreating enemy, from March 2-31, 1943, pushed the front line 130-160 kilometres farther away from Moscow.
On March 3, 1943, Rzhev was fully liberated.
🕯 The offensive and defensive operations conducted by the Western and Kalinin Fronts were of decisive strategic importance in achieving the turning point in favour of the Red Army across the entire Soviet-German theatre of war. The feat of Soviet soldiers is eternal and shall never be forgotten.
In 2020, at the initiative of Great Patriotic War veterans and the Russian Military Historical Society, and with the participation of President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the Rzhev Memorial was unveiled at the site of the fierce battles of 1942-1943 – a 25-metre figure of a soldier, rising above the field and seemingly dissolving into a flock of cranes, symbolising the souls of fallen soldiers – perished, yet never forgotten.
#Victory81 #WeRemember
❤3
📆 #OTD, in 1797, Ferdinand Wrangel, the outstanding Baltic German-Russian polar explorer and navigator, was born.
🌐Ferdinand Wrangel circumnavigated the globe three times, was famous for mapping Siberia’s Arctic coast and played a key role in exploring polar regions. He was a progressive statesman and served as Governor of Russian America (Alaska).
Ferdinand Wrangel explored the Arctic extensively and co-founded the Russian Geographical Society (RGS), solidifying his legacy in polar research and geography.
Today, many geographical locations are named after him, including a Russian island in the waters of the Arctic Ocean. Wrangel Island, a core part of the Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve in Russia, is a #UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its unique Arctic biodiversity, and its role as a refuge for ancient species like woolly mammoths, showcasing the stunning harsh beauty of polar nature and evolutionary development.
#OutstandingRussians
🌐Ferdinand Wrangel circumnavigated the globe three times, was famous for mapping Siberia’s Arctic coast and played a key role in exploring polar regions. He was a progressive statesman and served as Governor of Russian America (Alaska).
Ferdinand Wrangel explored the Arctic extensively and co-founded the Russian Geographical Society (RGS), solidifying his legacy in polar research and geography.
Today, many geographical locations are named after him, including a Russian island in the waters of the Arctic Ocean. Wrangel Island, a core part of the Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve in Russia, is a #UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its unique Arctic biodiversity, and its role as a refuge for ancient species like woolly mammoths, showcasing the stunning harsh beauty of polar nature and evolutionary development.
#OutstandingRussians
❤3👏1
Forwarded from Russian Consulate in Cape Town
🇷🇺🇿🇦 Consulate General of Russia in Cape Town:
✍️ An article by the Consul General of Russia in Cape Town, R.Golubovskiy, for the Weekend Argus (media holding Independent Media)
The importance of context in reporting: a response to AFP's coverage of Putin
Key points:
• Nowadays, news agencies focus on selective details and do not disclose information in full, which can strongly influence people’s opinions on various issues — the level of disinformation is increasing.
• Only half of the information is given to the readers, but what is far more important is that we can see a careful choice about which half to give to the public.
• In today’s world where Western media outlets consider themselves as the ultimate authority on Truth, we are all in desperate need for a more objective approach to covering global news.
👉🏻 Read in full in English
✍️ An article by the Consul General of Russia in Cape Town, R.Golubovskiy, for the Weekend Argus (media holding Independent Media)
The importance of context in reporting: a response to AFP's coverage of Putin
Key points:
• Nowadays, news agencies focus on selective details and do not disclose information in full, which can strongly influence people’s opinions on various issues — the level of disinformation is increasing.
• Only half of the information is given to the readers, but what is far more important is that we can see a careful choice about which half to give to the public.
• In today’s world where Western media outlets consider themselves as the ultimate authority on Truth, we are all in desperate need for a more objective approach to covering global news.
👉🏻 Read in full in English
❤5👏2👍1
⚓️ Multinational naval exercises “Will for Peace 2026” have begun in the territorial waters of the Republic of South Africa.
The main deployment hub has been designated as South Africa’s largest naval base in Simon’s Town, located near the Cape of Good Hope.
Operational command of the exercises is being carried out by the Navy of the People’s Republic of China. The drills will continue until January 16. The exercises involve the naval forces of China and the Republic of South Africa as the host nation. Warships from the Russian Federation and Iran are also taking part. Indonesia and Ethiopia are participating as observers.
🇷🇺 On January 9, the Russian Navy corvette Stoikiy and the medium sea tanker Yelnya made a scheduled port call at Simon’s Town to take part in the exercises.
🤝The focus of the exercises is joint operations to ensure the safety of navigation and maritime economic activity. The practical phase includes a joint deployment of a naval task group into the open ocean.
Video: Russian Consulate
The main deployment hub has been designated as South Africa’s largest naval base in Simon’s Town, located near the Cape of Good Hope.
Operational command of the exercises is being carried out by the Navy of the People’s Republic of China. The drills will continue until January 16. The exercises involve the naval forces of China and the Republic of South Africa as the host nation. Warships from the Russian Federation and Iran are also taking part. Indonesia and Ethiopia are participating as observers.
🇷🇺 On January 9, the Russian Navy corvette Stoikiy and the medium sea tanker Yelnya made a scheduled port call at Simon’s Town to take part in the exercises.
🤝The focus of the exercises is joint operations to ensure the safety of navigation and maritime economic activity. The practical phase includes a joint deployment of a naval task group into the open ocean.
Video: Russian Consulate
❤7👏6
🤩 Ahead of the New Year 2026, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov once again took part in the annual #WishTree charity campaign — for the sixth time.
As always, Sergey Viktorovich kept his word — every wish has been fulfilled! ✅
16-year-old Vladislav from Lugansk and 17-year-old Polina from Voronezh met Vladimir Medinsky, Presidential Aide, and visited the historic building of the Russian Foreign Ministry, including its Diplomatic History Center, and took part in a cultural program around Moscow.
13-year-old Evangelina met Sergey Lavrov in person and interviewed him.
Young Muscovites Sasha and Andrey received the gifts they had wished for.
✨ Congratulations on the New Year 2026 and Christmas! May your wishes come true too!
#NewYear2026
As always, Sergey Viktorovich kept his word — every wish has been fulfilled! ✅
16-year-old Vladislav from Lugansk and 17-year-old Polina from Voronezh met Vladimir Medinsky, Presidential Aide, and visited the historic building of the Russian Foreign Ministry, including its Diplomatic History Center, and took part in a cultural program around Moscow.
13-year-old Evangelina met Sergey Lavrov in person and interviewed him.
Young Muscovites Sasha and Andrey received the gifts they had wished for.
✨ Congratulations on the New Year 2026 and Christmas! May your wishes come true too!
#NewYear2026
👍5❤1
🇷🇺🇿🇦 On January 10, 2026 a delegation of the Russian Embassy in South Africa attended a celebratory rally of the African National Congress in Moruleng, at which President of South Africa and ANC Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his annual statement.
The event was dedicated to the 114th Anniversary of Africa's oldest liberation movement.
🤝 The Embassy extends its warm greetings and sincere wishes of success to the organisation, which has been Russia's unfailing friend for almost a century.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
The event was dedicated to the 114th Anniversary of Africa's oldest liberation movement.
🤝 The Embassy extends its warm greetings and sincere wishes of success to the organisation, which has been Russia's unfailing friend for almost a century.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
👏6❤1
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
#Outcomes2025
🎙 On January 20, 2026, a news conference by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be held at the Foreign Ministry Press Centre. The event will present an overview of the results of Russian diplomacy in 2025. The conference will begin at 11 am MSK.
Russian and foreign journalists are invited to attend. Accreditation is open until 12 pm on January 15 (details).
🔴 The press conference will be broadcast online on the Russian Foreign Ministry website in the Video section in Russian with English, French and Spanish translation, as well as on the Ministry’s social network accounts.
🎙 On January 20, 2026, a news conference by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be held at the Foreign Ministry Press Centre. The event will present an overview of the results of Russian diplomacy in 2025. The conference will begin at 11 am MSK.
Russian and foreign journalists are invited to attend. Accreditation is open until 12 pm on January 15 (details).
Please open Telegram to view this post
VIEW IN TELEGRAM