Putin Signs Law Adding April 9 to Russia’s Days of Military Glory for the Capture of Königsberg

Overview

• The amendment adds the Day of the Heroic Storm and Capture of Königsberg (1945) to the federal roster of commemorative dates.
• The law entered into force on November 17 upon official publication.
• April 9 will be observed annually to mark the end of resistance in the 1945 assault that concluded the East Prussian operation.
• Kaliningrad senator Alexander Shenderyuk-Zhidkov welcomed the decision, citing broad regional support and calling the date the region’s “birthday.”
• TASS interviews highlighted the Baltic Fleet’s documented role in the assault, reinforcing local historical pride.