Red Army Troops March Through Liberated Krasnodar, February 1943

September 15, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Red Army troops of the 2nd Guards Rifle Division march through liberated Krasnodar, February 1943.

Red Army 2nd Guards Rifle Division troops marching with horse-drawn 76mm regimental guns through liberated Krasnodar, February 12, 1943.

This historic photograph shows Soviet infantry of the 2nd Guards Rifle Division (later known as the Taman Division) marching through the liberated city of Krasnodar on February 12, 1943. The Red Army had just retaken the city after months of brutal occupation by Nazi forces during the North Caucasus Campaign.

The column is seen moving along Sverdlov Street (today Karasunskaya) toward Kuban Embankment, passing the intersection with Oktyabrskaya Street. Among the marching troops is an artillery battery equipped with 76mm regimental guns model 1927, pulled by horse teams—a reminder that despite the mechanization of World War II, horse-drawn artillery still played a vital role in Soviet operations.

Liberation of Krasnodar marked an important step in the Red Army’s advance across the North Caucasus, helping to secure vital oil regions and paving the way for the eventual liberation of the Kuban. This photo by Soviet war correspondent Max Alpert captures both the pride of the advancing troops and the resilience of a city rising again after occupation.

Technical photo data:
📍 Location: Krasnodar, USSR
📅 Date of photo: February 12, 1943
📝 Event: Liberation of Krasnodar, North Caucasus Campaign
📷 Author: Max Alpert (Soviet war photographer)
📚 Source: RGAKFD photo archives