Armenians in the Battle of Moscow

The Battle of Moscow, fought primarily between the autumn of 1941 and early 1942, was one of the first major strategic turning points of the German-Soviet war.

German forces advanced toward the Soviet capital but were unable to capture it.

The Soviet defense involved enormous military and civilian mobilization.

Armenian soldiers served in various Soviet formations engaged in defending the approaches to Moscow and participating in subsequent counteroffensives.

Conditions were extremely difficult.

Soldiers faced freezing temperatures, inadequate supplies, heavy bombardment, exhaustion, and large casualties.

The Soviet counteroffensive beginning in December 1941 pushed German forces away from the capital.

The battle demonstrated that the German invasion could be resisted and that the Soviet Union remained capable of organizing major offensive operations.

Armenian participation in the defense of Moscow formed part of the wider multinational Soviet effort.