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The city of Yelets is located in the Lipetsk region, on the banks of the river Sosna where the river Yelchik meets it. The year of its foundation is considered to be 1146. Initially Yelets was founded as a fortress city on the boundary of the Ancient Rus, and in all its nine-century history it has multiple times confirmed its title of a warrior city, a defender city. Yelets took part in all significant events of the history of the state.
During the years of the Great Patriotic War, Yelets ended up in the eye of the storm, standing on the path of the German troops advancing towards Moscow. In the key moment of the historical Battle of Moscow in 1941, from December 6 to December 16 the army of the Southwestern front successfully conducted an offensive that was named after Yelets. For the first time since the beginning of the war, the goal was to break through the enemy’s frontline, to encircle and to destroy the enemy. During the Yelets offensive one of the first victories of the Red Army was won, a territory of over 8 thousand square kilometers was liberated, as well as around 400 settlements including the city of Yelets.
This victory also had a huge significance for the morale. The troops became truly assured of the fact that even with equality in manpower they were able to beat the enemy: it is not the superior manpower that decides the success in battle, but the skill in fighting, as A. V. Suvorov taught. On December 1941, Yelets was the first city of a significant size freed from the German occupation. The inhabitants of the city, including school students, fought for their city together with the soldiers.
On October 8, 2007, for courage, perseverance and mass heroism shown by the defenders of the city during the Great Patriotic War Yelets was awarded the honorary title of a City of Military Glory.
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