Memory of Russia: Exhibition, marking the 80th anniversary of the hoisting of Soviet flags on Elbrus, presented in Moscow

The exhibition Red Flags on Elbrus has opened in the Victory Museum within the framework of the project War: Day by Day. The exhibition is timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the hoisting of Soviet flags on Elbrus.

“On February 13 and 17, 1943, Soviet mountaineering soldiers climbed to the top of Elbrus and dropped the fascist banners set up by the Nazis in August 1942. In their place, the soldiers of the Red Army hoisted the flags of the Soviet Union”, said the curator of the exhibition Irina Chubayeva.

“This ascent had a huge symbolic significance for the Soviet troops, who were liberating the Caucasus from the Germans at that time, and dealt a powerful demoralizing blow to the enemy, who considered these mountains their own”, she stressed.

The exposition showcases personal belongings of the participants of the hike and climbing equipment of the mid-20th century: downhill skis and boots, crampons, an ice axe, a tent, a jacket, sunglasses and other items. In addition, the relics include authentic photographs taken during the expedition. They were donated to the Victory Museum by the participant of the legendary campaign Anatoly Bagrov.

For the unique operation of hoisting Soviet flags on Elbrus, a detachment of mountaineering soldiers was divided into two groups. On February 13, 1943, the first group of six people, despite the knocking down wind and severe frost, reached the western peak with a height of 5,633 meters and installed a red banner there, and on the night of February 17, 14 climbers of the second group stormed the eastern peak of the mountain. Elbrus was liberated from the Nazi standards, and in their place the flags of the USSR soared.