Introduction
The Siege of Leningrad, which lasted from September 8, 1941, to January 27, 1944, was a nearly 900-day blockade by Nazi Germany and its allies against the Soviet city of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). The siege caused immense suffering, starvation, and death among the civilian population but became a symbol of Soviet resilience and determination. With an estimated 1.5 million deaths, it stands as one of the deadliest sieges in human history and one of the most tragic chapters of World War II.
Background and Strategic Importance
Leningrad was the second-largest city in the Soviet Union, with a population of about 3.5 million before the siege. It was not only a major industrial and cultural center, but also symbolically significant as the birthplace of the Russian Revolution.
Hitler saw Leningrad as a vital target for both strategic and ideological reasons. By capturing or destroying the city, the Germans hoped to:
- Cripple Soviet industrial capabilities in the north
- Sever vital supply and transportation routes
- Deliver a psychological blow to the Soviet regime and people
After launching Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, Army Group North, under Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb, advanced rapidly toward Leningrad from the west and south. Finnish forces, aligned with Germany, approached from the north, having their own territorial ambitions to reclaim lands lost in the Winter War of 1939–1940.
Encirclement and Beginning of the Siege
By early September 1941, German forces had cut off all land access to Leningrad. The capture of Shlisselburg on September 8 severed the last rail connection and road into the city, marking the official beginning of the siege.
Hitler ordered no direct assault on Leningrad. Instead, he planned to starve the city into submission, expecting that mass civilian deaths and desperation would cause the Soviets to surrender. The plan was brutal and clear: destroy Leningrad through bombardment, starvation, and isolation.
Conditions Inside the City
Starvation
The most devastating aspect of the siege was the widespread famine. The Soviet supply system collapsed, and by the winter of 1941–42, food rations were reduced to as little as 125 grams of bread per day for civilians.
People resorted to eating:
- Wallpaper paste (made from potato starch)
- Leather belts and boots
- Pets and zoo animals
- Eventually, cases of cannibalism were reported
Despite the dire conditions, the Soviet government and local officials tried to maintain morale and organization. Citizens were mobilized to build fortifications, clear rubble, and keep key infrastructure operating, often while starving and freezing.
Harsh Winters
Temperatures during the siege often dropped below −30°C (−22°F). Fuel shortages left many without heating. Water pipes froze, and people had to collect water from holes in the ice of the Neva River under artillery fire.
Corpses lay unburied for days due to the frozen ground and lack of strength among survivors to move the dead.
Civilian Suffering and Heroism
It is estimated that between 600,000 and 1.5 million civilians died during the siege, mostly from starvation, cold, and disease. At its worst, thousands of people died each day, and the city became a place of unimaginable suffering.
Yet the siege also became a story of extraordinary resilience. Examples include:
- The Leningrad Radio Orchestra performing Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, which was composed during the siege and broadcast to boost morale.
- Workers continuing to produce tanks, ammunition, and weapons, even as factories were bombed and workers collapsed from hunger.
- The preservation of priceless works of art, including the treasures of the Hermitage Museum, which were evacuated or hidden underground.
Military Situation and Soviet Response
The Red Army, initially overwhelmed by the speed of the German advance, regrouped and began efforts to relieve the city. Several offensives failed due to difficult terrain, strong German defenses, and logistical challenges.
Road of Life
During the winters, Soviet authorities established a supply route across the frozen Lake Ladoga, known as the “Road of Life.” Trucks transported food and medicine into the city and evacuated civilians, though the journey was dangerous due to:
- German air and artillery attacks
- Thin, cracking ice
- Poor visibility
Still, over 1 million people—mostly women, children, and the elderly—were evacuated, and vital supplies kept the city barely alive.
The Turning Tide
By late 1942 and into 1943, the Red Army began gaining momentum. On January 18, 1943, the Soviets launched Operation Iskra, breaking through the German lines south of Lake Ladoga. A narrow land corridor was established, allowing for a rail connection and improved supply lines.
While this did not end the siege, it significantly eased the conditions inside Leningrad.
On January 27, 1944, after a major offensive involving the Leningrad, Volkhov, and 2nd Baltic Fronts, the siege was finally lifted. German forces were pushed away from the city, ending 872 days of blockade.
Aftermath and Legacy
Human Cost
- Civilian deaths: Estimated 800,000 to 1.5 million
- Military casualties: Hundreds of thousands more on both Soviet and German sides
- Destruction: Thousands of buildings, factories, and cultural landmarks were damaged or destroyed
The suffering endured by Leningraders left a deep scar on the national consciousness. Survivors bore physical and psychological trauma for the rest of their lives.
Commemoration
After the war, the Soviet government designated Leningrad a “Hero City” in recognition of its defense. Numerous memorials and museums were established to honor the dead and preserve the memory of the siege.
One of the most powerful memorials is the Piskaryovskoye Cemetery, where over 500,000 people are buried in mass graves.
Cultural Significance
The Siege of Leningrad became a central part of Soviet wartime mythology, celebrated in poetry, music, films, and literature. It symbolized not only heroic endurance but also the brutal realities of total war.
Hitler’s Miscalculation
From a military standpoint, the decision not to storm Leningrad but to starve it out was a strategic blunder. The siege tied down enormous German and Finnish resources and failed to break Soviet resistance.
Moreover, it became a rallying cry for Soviet soldiers and citizens, further strengthening resolve to defeat the invaders. The brutality of the siege, including the deaths of so many civilians, fueled hatred of the Germans and intensified the Red Army’s determination.
Conclusion
The Siege of Leningrad was a test of survival unmatched in modern urban history. For nearly 900 days, the people of Leningrad endured starvation, bombardment, and unbearable cold in one of the most harrowing episodes of World War II.
It remains a monument to human endurance, a tragic reminder of the cost of war, and a testament to the spirit of resistance in the face of overwhelming adversity. The city did not fall—and in its survival, it helped shape the course of the war and became an enduring symbol of hope, sacrifice, and resilience.
