Volgograd Region in 3 Russian words

Gateway to Russia

Feb 17 2026

Konstantin Chalabov/Sputnik

This is one of Russia's main economic centers, accounting for approximately a quarter of the country's total industrial output. The region is also renowned for its heroic history. Here are three of its main symbols.

1. МАМАЕВ КУРГАН (Mamayev Kurgan)

Pavel Bednyakov/Sputnik

Mamayev Kurgan is one of the most heroic and tragic sites in Volgograd. During World War II, bloody battles took place there and, later, approximately 35,000 Soviet soldiers were buried in mass graves. A memorial complex has been erected on the mound, crowned by the 85-meter-tall ‘Motherland’ statue.

2. ВОЛГА (Volga)

Kirill Braga/Sputnik

The Volga is Europe's longest river, stretching 3,531 km. Its basin covers eight percent of Russia's territory. The Volga region is home to almost half of the country's agricultural land and industrial enterprises. The city of Volgograd stretches along the river for 70 kilometers and its name itself means "city on the Volga".

3. ВОЛЖСКАЯ ГЭС (Volzhskaya Hydroelectric Power Station)

Kirill Braga/Sputnik

Today, it’s the largest hydroelectric power station in Europe and was once the largest in the world. It supplies electricity to approximately 70 percent of the Volgograd region. The hydroelectric power station also serves as a bridge across the Volga for rail and road transport.