Photos

Eternal fire in Murmansk - a city in the extreme northwest of Russia, north of the Arctic circle.

During World War II, Murmansk was a link with the Western world for Russia, and a vast commerce with the Allies, in items important to the respective military efforts passed through it: primarily manufactured goods into the Soviet Union, and raw materials out. These supplies were brought to the city in the Arctic Convoys.

German forces launched an offensive against the city in 1941. Murmansk suffered profound destruction, second only to Stalingrad of all the Soviet cities. However, fierce Soviet resistance prevented Germans from capturing the city and from cutting off the vital Karelain railway line.

This resistance was eventually recognized in 1985 by the Soviet Union with the formal designation of Murmansk as a Hero City.

In commemoration of this event, the massive statue depicting a Russian soldier of World War Two, was erected overlooking the city harbour. The eternal fire is a part of that monument.