The Fall of Berlin

The Soviet assault on Berlin was huge and merciless. It was portrayed in Russian propaganda as a do-or-die battle for the country and a last drive into the 'lair of the fascist beast,' involving almost 2.5 million Soviet troops, many of whom had been personally impacted by Nazi crimes during their previous march into Russia. This, along with a shaky chain of command once the battle was won, resulted in some of the greatest civilian crimes of the conflict.

Rape was by far the most regularly reported of all, with over 100,000 German women - and in some cases, children - were subjected to all degrees of sexual violence during the initial days of the occupation. According to aid groups on the ground, around 10,000 of the victims committed suicide, while many of the specifics remain secret in Russian military documents.

Approximately 81,000 Soviet Union soldiers were killed, with another 280,000 injured. Approximately 92,000 German soldiers were killed, with another 220,000 injured. Berlin was reduced to ruins, and around 22,000 German people were slain.

• Year: 1945
• Location: Berlin, Germany
• Deaths: between 92,000 and 100,000 people