Блокада Ленинграда
The Siege of Leningrad
One of WWII's most tragic and heroic chapters: 872 days of siege, famine, and killing cold, the 125-gram bread ration, the 'Road of Life' across frozen Lake Ladoga, Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony played under bombardment — and a city that refused to fall.
You will practice: Verbal adverbs (отрезав, отказываясь, показав), past passive participles (проложенная, исполнена), imperfective past for prolonged hardship (умирали, снижалась, усугублялась), and с … по for date spans.
Words to know
Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.
- блокадаsiege, blockade
- войнаwar
- войскаtroops, forces
- окружитьto surround, to encircle
- голодfamine, hunger, starvation
- запасыsupplies, reserves
- продовольствиеfood, provisions
- карточка(ration) card
- нормаquota, ration, allowance
- мукаflour
- спасениеsalvation, rescue
- эвакуироватьto evacuate
- испытаниеtrial, ordeal
- заводfactory, plant
- симфонияsymphony
- обстрелshelling, bombardment
- стойкостьfortitude, resilience
Did you get it?
5 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.
1. How long did the Siege of Leningrad last?
2. What was the bread ration for children and office workers in the hardest winter?
3. What was the 'Road of Life'?
4. What did Shostakovich contribute during the siege?
5. How does the text characterize Leningrad's endurance?
Too hard? Pick an easier text in the Russian reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.