The Siege of Leningrad: 872 Days of Resistance

The Siege of Leningrad lasted from September 1941 to January 1944 — 872 days of relentless bombardment, starvation, and extreme cold. An estimated 1.5 million civilians and soldiers perished during the blockade, making it one of the most lethal sieges in world history. Despite the horrors, the city never surrendered. Cultural life continued: the Leningrad Philharmonic performed Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony in August 1942 as a defiant act of resistance. The "Road of Life" across the frozen Lake Ladoga became the only supply route during the worst winter months. Many survivors and their descendants now live in the United Kingdom, and their stories form a vital part of our memorial registry.