One of the most dramatic and heroic periods of the Second World War is considered to be the Siege of Leningrad. The city’s population faced unimaginable hardships caused by starvation, severe frost, constant air raids, and artillery shelling. Communication with Leningrad was maintained only via Lake Ladoga and by air.

The siege lasted 872 days (over time, for various reasons, the rounded designation “900 days and nights” became widely used). From September 1941 to January 1944, according to some estimates—whose precise verification is extremely difficult due to various circumstances—between 650,000 and 1.5 million people perished. Only about 3% died as a result of relentless Nazi bombings and artillery attacks, while the remaining 97% died from hunger and extreme cold. The majority of Leningrad residents died during the first winter of the siege (1941–1942), with approximately 4,000 people dying every day. At that time, temperatures dropped to minus 32 degrees Celsius, and there was no heating in residential buildings.

Despite all this, the residents of Leningrad demonstrated extraordinary bravery, courage, unwavering faith in victory, and remarkable strength of spirit. In memory of these events, by decision of the Executive Committee of the Leningrad City Council of People’s Deputies dated January 23, 1989, the commemorative badge “Resident of Blockaded Leningrad” was established. It became a symbol not only of the suffering endured but also of an unbreakable will to live.

Description of the badge “Resident of Blockaded Leningrad”

The medal is round, made of brass, with a diameter of 27 millimeters. On the obverse, against the background of the Main Admiralty—the center of Russia’s maritime history—a broken ring is depicted, symbolizing the breached blockade of the unconquered city. A tongue of flame and a laurel branch represent valor. They are intertwined with the inscription stamped in metal: “900 days – 900 nights.” On the reverse of the badge are the hammer and sickle, as a reminder of the country (the USSR) that withstood the war, along with the words “Resident of Blockaded Leningrad.”

The suspension block is a strict rectangular metal plate covered with enamel. The ribbon attached to it matches the color of the ribbon of the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad,” a state award of the USSR established to honor the defenders of the city of Leningrad. It was one of the first Soviet medals of the wartime period.

The badge “Resident of Blockaded Leningrad” was awarded to citizens who had lived in the besieged city for at least four months during the period from September 8, 1941, to January 27, 1944. In accordance with the federal law “On Veterans,” individuals awarded the badge “Resident of Blockaded Leningrad” are classified as veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.

On October 14, 2025, Law of Saint Petersburg No. 496–82 came into force, adopted by the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg and signed by the Governor of Saint Petersburg. This law introduced an amendment to the aforementioned decision of the Executive Committee of the Leningrad City Council of People’s Deputies dated January 23, 1989, abolishing the previous requirement of mandatory residence in the besieged city for at least four months. Now, all individuals who lived in Leningrad during the siege are eligible to receive the badge, regardless of the length of their stay.

According to the updated regulations, the right to receive the badge “Resident of Blockaded Leningrad” now also extends to persons who lived in the city for even a single day during the period from September 8, 1941, to January 27, 1944.

To obtain the badge, individuals permanently residing in Germany must submit an application in free form (sample) addressed to the Governor of Saint Petersburg to the consular section of the Russian Embassy or to the Consulate General in Bonn.

The application must be accompanied by:

• a copy of the passport (if the applicant is not a Russian citizen, then a foreign passport with a Russian translation certified by a Russian notary or by a consular official performing notarial functions);

• a document confirming residence in Leningrad for at least one day during the siege (including a birth certificate indicating Leningrad as the place of birth and a date of birth between September 8, 1941, and January 27, 1944);

• one matte photograph measuring 3 × 4 cm.

If the personal data in the documents confirming residence differ from those in the current passport, documents confirming a change of name (marriage certificate, name change certificate, etc.) must also be provided.

If documents confirming a name change were issued by foreign authorities, they must be apostilled and translated into Russian, with the accuracy of the translation certified by a Russian notary or by a consular official performing notarial functions.

For all questions related to obtaining the badge “Resident of Blockaded Leningrad,” please contact: infokonsulat@russische-botschaft.de.