Bombing of Minsk in World War II

Minsk after the bombing.

The Minsk Blitz was the heavy bombing of the city of Minsk (population was 270,000) in the USSR during the Second World War.

During 24 June 1941 three waves of bombers, of 47 aircraft each, bombed Minsk. The anti-aircraft defense of the city was poorly organized, and panic ensued. Because the water supply was destroyed, fires could not be put down, and the city was evacuated.

As much as 85% of the city's buildings and the entire infrastructure was destroyed. More than 1,000 people were killed.

External links

• Article in newspaper - in Russian
• Video of the bombing, fire and ruins (as part of multimedia presentation)