Russian diplomats visited Maria Avanesova, a resident of besieged Leningrad living in Ashgabat, and conveyed to her congratulations from the Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the complete lifting of the blockade, the Russian Embassy in Turkmenistan said in a statement.

It is noted that Maria Avanesova found the besieged city at the age of ten and lived here for about a year, experiencing all the horror of wartime. In August 1942, she was evacuated to the Ivanovo region, after which she moved to Ashgabat.

“Maria Dmitrievna is one of two “blockade survivors” currently living in Turkmenistan. Last year, Maria Dmitrievna and Galina Alekseevna Mamedova were awarded the honorary badge “In honor of the 80th anniversary of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the fascist blockade.” We congratulate Maria Dmitrievna on this significant day and wish her health, prosperity and good spirits!” the embassy said in a statement.

The siege of Leningrad, which began on September 8, 1941, lasted almost 900 days. The only route – the “Road of Life” – along which food was delivered to the city was laid along the ice of Lake Ladoga. The blockade was broken on January 18, 1943, but Leningraders had to wait another whole year before it was completely lifted - on January 27, 1944.