On May 9, 2025, the Russian Federation will commemorate the 80^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War—a solemn occasion that endures as a symbol of the courage, resilience, and unity demonstrated by the Soviet people in the face of an existential threat. The Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) represented one of the most severe trials not only for the Soviet Union but for humanity as a whole. World War II, the most devastating conflict in human history, claimed the lives of an estimated 70 to 85 million individuals between 1939 and 1945. These staggering numbers encapsulate the suffering of entire nations, cities, and families.

Soviet Union: 20–27 million deaths
The USSR bore the heaviest losses of the war. One in every four soldiers and one in every seven civilians perished. The Siege of Leningrad, mass executions, and the destruction of entire villages resulted in the deaths of approximately 13–15 million civilians in the occupied territories. The battles of Stalingrad, the Kursk Salient, and Berlin each claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. These are not mere statistics—they represent empty homes, broken families, and children whose education was never completed.

Germany: 6–7 million deaths
The Third Reich, which initiated the war, suffered the loss of up to 5.3 million soldiers and approximately 1.5 million civilians. Allied bombings devastated cities such as Hamburg and Dresden, and millions perished during the chaotic retreat. However, even these figures are overshadowed by the atrocities of Nazism: six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, many of whom were citizens of Poland, the USSR, and France.

Poland: 6 million deaths (including 3 million Jews)
Seventeen percent of Poland’s population perished under occupation—more than in any other nation. The Warsaw Ghetto, extermination camps such as Auschwitz and Treblinka, and the systematic execution of the intellectual elite marked the war as an act of genocide against the Polish people.

China: 15–20 million casualties.

The Japanese occupation (1937–1945) transformed China into a site of mass atrocities, including the Nanjing Massacre, biological warfare experiments, and widespread famine. Exact figures remain uncertain, as many perished due to disease and political repression. The war endured longer in China, and its deep scars remain unhealed to this day.

Japan: 2.5–3 million casualties.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the war reached Japanese territory. The firebombing of Tokyo claimed approximately 100,000 lives in a single night, while the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in up to 250,000 deaths. The civilian population bore the devastating consequences of the government’s militaristic policies.

United States and United Kingdom: Comparatively lower casualties amid global tragedy. The United States lost approximately 420,000 people in military operations across Europe and the Pacific. The United Kingdom suffered around 450,000 losses, due to the bombing of London and battles in Africa and Asia.

Yugoslavia: 1–1.7 million casualties.

Losses were largely due to guerrilla warfare and ethnic cleansing during the conflict.

France: 600,000 casualties.

These resulted from participation in the resistance movement, aerial bombings, and mass deportations.

Italy: 450,000 casualties.

A significant portion of the losses occurred during the civil war that followed the fall of Mussolini.

On the eve of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, the theme of intergenerational continuity becomes more relevant than ever. Memorial complexes and museums meticulously preserve the historical records of the war years. Yet true remembrance resides not only in granite and bronze, but also in the oral histories shared within families, in our reverent attitude toward veterans, and in our respect for historical truth. It lives in our hearts.

The traditions of celebrating May 9 have been established for decades: parades, laying flowers, a minute of silence, evening fireworks. But the main thing on this day is not formalities, but a sincere sense of gratitude, which unites all the countries that participated in the Great Patriotic War. The jubilee year of 2025 is an occasion not only for festive events, but also for deep reflection on the historical heritage. The victory of 1945 is a lesson in the unity of the people in the face of danger, a testament to the strength of spirit and patriotism, a warning to future generations, and a basis for national identity. 80 years separate us from that memorable May. But time has no power over the greatness of the feat. As long as we remember and honor our heroes, as long as we pass this memory on to our children, as long as we remain grateful to the generation of winners - their sacrifice was not in vain. Victory Day remains not just a historical date, but a living testimony that goodness, justice and love for the Motherland can overcome any trials. This holiday reminds us of the most important things: the value of peace, the importance of unity, the strength of the human spirit. We are obliged to keep the memory alive so that the horrors of war will never be repeated.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed veterans for this Great Victory. We bow deeply to you on behalf of all of us. May you be blessed with long life, good health, and a peaceful sky above. Eternal glory to the heroes!

Department of propaedeutics of children's diseases