Putin restores Stalingrad name to Volgograd airport
Vladimir Putin signed a decree to give the airport in Volgograd its historical name, Stalingrad, reports Reuters. The initiative reportedly came from veterans and participants in military actions in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to restore the historical name Stalingrad to the international airport in Volgograd.
Putin has decided: The name Stalingrad returns
According to Reuters, this decision was made following requests from residents and veterans who wanted to honour the USSR's victory in the Great Patriotic War. The decree was signed after Putin's visit to Volgograd.
The idea of restoring the name Stalingrad has already been discussed. However, in 2023, it did not gain broad public support. According to a survey at the time, over 67% of Volgograd residents opposed this change.
Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad, is one of the largest cities in Russia, situated on the lower Volga River.
During World War II, this city became the site of one of the most significant and bloodiest battles, known as the "Battle of Stalingrad." In August 1942, Axis forces led by Nazi Germany began the offensive. A few months later, the Red Army initiated a counteroffensive that allowed for the encirclement of the Wehrmacht forces.
