An unknown number of Soviet civilians perished in the to-and-fro of the armies, and in the ruins of the city (present-day Volgograd).

ECONOMIST: Battle of Stalingrad

The city of Stalingrad, which was renamed Volgograd in 1961, has regained its wartime name for the event, following a council decision.

BBC: Russia marks 70 years since Battle of Stalingrad

After Stalin died, his name was purged just as he had purged tens of millions of his victims, and the city on the Volga River was given the placid name of Volgograd.

FORBES: Stalingrad Reborn

Under the decision, passed by the council on Wednesday, the title "Hero City Stalingrad" will be used during commemorations as "a symbol of Volgograd".

BBC: Stalingrad name to be revived for anniversaries