On April 10, 1944, exactly years ago, the forces of the Third Ukrainian Front under the command of Army General Rodion Malinovsky
ousted Nazi German and Romanian invaders from Odessa. The Nazi occupation of the city lasted 907 days. During this period, approximately
200,000 people died in Odessa and in the region. Many of them fell victim to mass bloody massacres and brutal executions. About 78,000 people were deported to Germany for forced labour; plants and factories were destroyed; and over 2,000 buildings, including hospitals and schools, were blown up or burned down.
During their retreat, German and Romanian troops shot at ordinary people, including the elderly, women and children and mined the most important buildings, plants, the power station and the seaport.
The Red Army inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy with over 27,000 soldiers and officers killed and more than 11,000 taken prisoner. The enemy also lost 952 artillery pieces, 443 tanks and assault guns, and 97 ammunition and food depots.
The liberation of Odessa by the Red Army disrupted supplies to the German army group in Crimea and
opened the way to an offensive towards the Balkans. During the entire period of occupation, local citizens resisted the Nazis. After the city was captured, they went into catacombs. During the war, Odessa underground fighters and partisans destroyed over 5,000 enemy soldiers and officers, 248 motor vehicles, and saved about 20,000 Soviet citizens from being forcibly exported to Germany.
In honour of the liberation of Odessa, 324 artillery pieces made 24 salvoes in Moscow.
The honorable title of Odessa units was conferred on 27 formations and units that distinguished themselves during the operation. The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to 14 people and over 2,000 people received Soviet orders and medals.
On May 8, 1965, Odessa was officially declared Hero City.
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