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Russia’s honorary title of City of Military Glory is awarded for bravery, tenacity, and large-scale valour demonstrated by the cities’ defenders in the battle for Russia’s freedom and independence during the Great Patriotic War.

Stary Oskol is an ancient city in Belgorod Region. During the Great Patriotic War, from July 1942 to February 1943, Stary Oskol was under German occupation. Much of the city was destroyed by enemy aircraft; more than two thousand residents were driven into Germany, and many died. On February 5, 1943, Stary Oskol was liberated by Soviet troops following a fierce fight that killed nearly seven thousand soldiers. Following liberation, Stary Oskol became one of the main defensive bases for the upcoming battle in the Kursk Bulge. In order to deliver supplies to the troops, a railroad was built in record time.

Kolpino is an industrial suburb of St Petersburg. During the Great Patriotic War, in August 1941 through January 1944, the Leningrad front line passed near Kolpino. However, in autumn 1941, the city was defended only by volunteers from among workers at the Izhorsky factory and city residents.

Anapa (Krasnodar Territory) is one of Russia’s major resorts and the only children’s resort in the nation. During the Great Patriotic War, in 1942, the resort town was occupied by German-Fascist invaders and liberated on September 21, 1943, during the Novorossiysk-Taman offensive and the Battle for the Caucasus. About four thousand soldiers died liberating the city. Nearly one third of Anapa’s residents perished at the front, went missing, or died during the occupation.