Beginning of the Siege of Leningrad

Land routes to Leningrad are cut; the siege will cause mass civilian death.

After the land communications were cut, the city entered a prolonged siege that caused famine and enormous loss of life. Supply across Lake Ladoga sustained part of the population but could not end the humanitarian catastrophe.

The advance of Army Group North and Finnish operations placed the city of millions under grave threat. Once the last land connection was lost, supply became extraordinarily difficult.

The city endured mass starvation, shelling and extreme cold. Supply over Lake Ladoga partly eased conditions but could not remove the humanitarian disaster.

The siege lasted more than two years and killed a vast number of civilians. It was finally lifted in January 1944.

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