Watch this Spooky Drone Footage Of The Destroyed Building In Stalingrad Left Untouched Since 1943

The Battle of Stalingrad (a city in southern Russia, now called Volgograd) was one of the bloodiest and longest battles in history. Over two million soldiers were involved, and more than two million were wounded, killed or captured. On top of that were the countless civilians that perished.

The Battle lasted from August 1942 to February 1943 – five months, one week, and three days. It was also one of the most important battles of the Second World War.

The Russians stopped the invasion of their country, and from then on they began to turn the Germans and their allies back.

The destruction of Stalingrad was dreadful, but the Russians rebuilt their city. Yet they kept a memorial of the terrible suffering they had endured.

This eerie footage taken by a drone shows the Grudinina Mill, which was almost destroyed during the battle. When Stalingrad was rebuilt the mill was left as it was, as a reminder of the sacrifice the people of Russia had made for their country.

You can see the collapsed roof and the empty window frames. In another shot, the empty rooms can be seen from above.

The original fountain in 1942, photographed by Emmanuil Evzerikhin.
The original fountain in 1942, photographed by Emmanuil Evzerikhin.

The drone then flies across the surrounding area, and we see an odd fountain with children dancing around a crocodile. This is called the Barmaley Fountain.

It commemorates a Russian fairy tale about six children who escape a cannibal named Barmaley, who is swallowed by a crocodile. Inside the crocodile, Barmaley promises to be kind and becomes a baker.

During the Battle of Stalingrad, when all the buildings around were burning, this fountain was untouched.

The fountain there now is not the original, which was removed in the 1950s. But a replica was built for the 71st anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad on August 23rd, 2013.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jir3QEl2Vxg

Joris Nieuwint

Joris Nieuwint is a battlefield guide for the Operation Market Garden area. His primary focus is on the Allied operations from September 17th, 1944 onwards. Having lived in the Market Garden area for 25 years, he has been studying the events for nearly as long. He has a deep understanding of the history and a passion for sharing the stories of the men who are no longer with us.

@joris1944 facebook.com/joris.nieuwint