USSR – Medal “For the Capture of Königsberg”

Description

This medal is “For the Capture of Königsberg” (Медаль «За завязие Кёнигсберга»), a Soviet military decoration from World War II.
Background and History:

Established: 9 June 1945
Purpose: Awarded to Soviet soldiers and officers who participated in the capture of Königsberg (present-day Kaliningrad, Russia) from Nazi Germany.
Number of medals issued: Approximately 760,000.

Description of the Medal:

Material: Brass
Diameter: 32 mm
Design:
The obverse bears the inscription: “За завязие Кёнигсберга” (For the Capture of Königsberg).
A five-pointed star at the top with rays behind it.
A laurel branch at the bottom, symbolizing victory.
The reverse bears the inscription: “За нашу Советскую Родину” (For our Soviet Motherland) and the state emblem of the Soviet Union.
Ribbon: Black with green stripes, symbolizing the Soviet forces that carried out the offensive.

Historical Significance:

Königsberg, the capital of East Prussia, was a heavily fortified city and a strategic German defensive point.
The Battle of Königsberg took place between 6–9 April 1945 and was one of the last major offensives on the Eastern Front.
After the war, Königsberg became part of the Soviet Union and was renamed Kaliningrad, which it still has today.