People of the Russian city of Smolensk after its liberation by the Red Army, 1943.

People of the Russian city of Smolensk after its liberation by the Red Army, 1943. Smolensk was liberated from German occupation at the end of September 1943 during a major Russian offensive. The fighting destroyed over 90% of the city's buildings. Smolensk was one of 12 cities to be awarded the title 'Hero City' by the Soviet government after the war. (Photo by Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images)