◼️ In the early morning of June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany launched a treacherous attack on the Soviet Union. The Great Patriotic War began — a struggle that lasted 1418 days and nights and claimed the lives of 27 million Soviet citizens.

Among the cities struck by the enemy’s first blow was #Brest, whose fortress was one of the most heavily fortified strongholds in the region. The Nazis expected to capture the Brest Fortress within just eight hours, but Soviet defenders put up fierce resistance, significantly delaying the advance of the invaders. Some soldiers continued to hold out in the fortress’s underground passages and catacombs until late July and even August 1941.

According to the Nazi plans, operation 'Barbarossa' was aimed at clearing the path to advance toward Smolensk and eventually USSR's capital — Moscow. The Germans did manage to deliver a heavy blow on Brest, but to their disappointment the #BrestFortress did not surrender. Soviet forces heroically stood to defend the largest fortress on the country's western border, deterring the enemy troops during the first week of the war.

For nearly a month, the citadel’s defenders tied down the entire (!) Wehrmacht division in Brest. At sunrise on June 22, the enemy’s powerful artillery barrage collapsed upon a garrison of almost 7,000 Red Army soldiers. Within hours, Soviet forces were encircled by the enemy and severed from the main headquarters and supply lines. Facing a shortage of ammunition, food and water, they resolved to fight to the last, turning the Brest Fortress into a bastion of resistance.

Hitler’s troops expected to seize the citadel within hours but found themselves bogged down for a week. Moreover, on the very first day of battle, despite outnumbering Soviet forces in both manpower and equipment, it was the Nazis who ordered their units to retreat. To crush the Red Army’s resistance, the Nazi invaders deployed incendiaries and tear gas, raining down 500 kg bombs.

The Wehrmacht’s surprise attack left the Brest Fortress garrison with no chance to organise defence. Resistance became fragmented, with Soviet soldiers fighting the Germans even in hand-to-hand combat.

Resistance persisted until late July and even early August 1941. While most fortress defenders perished, small groups managed to break through to partisan units or the frontline. The enemy also sustained significant casualties of 1,121 killed and wounded, representing 5% of total Nazi losses during the war’s first week.

Brest was liberated on July 28, 1944, by the forces of the 1st Belorussian Front during Operation Bagration in less than two days. For the first time in three years of Nazi occupation, Soviet soldiers entered the fortress. On the walls they discovered inscriptions left by the fortress defenders, the most famous of which — dated July 20, 1941, and uncovered in 1950 — reads:

“I die but do not surrender. Farewell, Motherland.”

🎖 The Brest Fortress stands as an enduring symbol of courage, undending will and heroism of the Red Army soldiers.

The defenders’ names are forever etched in history, with over 200 heroes receiving military honours.

On May 8, 1965, the legendary Fortress was awarded the title of Hero Fortress, later becoming a memorial complex in 1971. Visitors from across the Union State and former Soviet republics, both adults and children, come to honour the defenders’ extraordinary feat. The finest and distinguished students from Brest’s schools stand solemn guard at the Eternal Flame.

#WeRemember

🗓️ 23 июня 2026 г. Посол России в Шри-Ланке и Мальдивской Республике Л.С.Джагарян принял с визитом вежливости Посла Кувейта в Шри-Ланке С.М.А.С.Алсарави.

В ходе беседы обсуждались вопросы дальнейшего развития традиционно дружественных российско-кувейтских связей и взаимодействия между дипломатическими представительствами. Особое внимание было уделено ряду вопросов региональной и международной повестки дня.

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🗓️ On June 23, 2026, Ambassador of Russia to Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives Mr. Levan Dzhagaryan received a courtesy visit from Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Sri Lanka Mr. Saleh M.A.S. Alsarawi.

The parties discussed further development of the traditionally friendly Russian-Kuwaiti relations and cooperation between the diplomatic missions. Special attention was given to a number of regional and international agenda issues.

❗️Вниманию росгражданам, пребывающим на Шри-Ланке

Министерство здравоохранения Республики и Национальное подразделение по контролю за Денге фиксируют наиболее масштабную вспышку лихорадки Денге на острове за последние годы.

С учетом эпидемиологической обстановки Посольство настоятельно рекомендует соблюдать соответствующие профилактические меры, а именно:

🔹 в целях предотвращения проникновения комаров в жилые помещения устанавливать защитные сетки на оконных и дверных проемах;

🔹 производить обработку открытых участков кожи и одежды репеллентами в строгом соответствии с инструкцией по применению, указанной в аннотации к средству;

🔹 отдавать предпочтение одежде, максимально закрывающей кожные покровы, в целях снижения риска укусов комаров.