Velikiye Luki
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Velikiye Luki (Russian: ), also transliterated as Velikie Luki, is a city on the meandering Lovat River in Russia, in Pskov Oblast. Its name may be translated as "The Great Meanders". Population: 104,979 (2002 Census). The city is located at .
The city of Velikiye Luki was first mentioned in a chronicle under the year of 1166. After the construction of a fortress in 1211, Velikiye Luki turned into a city of strategic importance, defending the approaches to Pskov and Novgorod. It was incorporated into Muscovy by Ivan the Great in 1478. During the WWII intensive fighting took place in the vicinity between German and Soviet forces during 1941 and 1942. In late 1942 a German force of about 7,000 was surrounded in the town which has been turned into a fortress. After months of heavy fighting, the German defenders were finally wiped out in January 1943. As a result of this siege the city suffered heavy destruction.
The Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Matrosov is buried in Velikiye Luki. Soviet Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky was born in this city.
See also
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| Cities and towns in Pskov Oblast |
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| Administrative center: Pskov Dno | Gdov | Nevel | Novorzhev | Novosokolniki | Opochka | Ostrov | Pechory | Porkhov | Pustoshka | Pytalovo | Sebezh | Velikiye Luki |
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