Zelenograd has already begun the preparations for one of the most important dates of this year: the 75th anniversary of the Soviet troops’ beginning of counterattack at the most critical moment of the Great Patriotic War – during the battle for Moscow.

Zelenograd is the only district of Moscow, where the front line had passed. Then several villages were situated there (some of them have given the names to the modern districts of Zelenograd) and the station Kryukovo. The enemy came closest to the capital exactly here.

On the 5th of December 1941 at the station Krukovo we suffered the first attack, which turned into a full-scale offensive, discarded the enemy from Moscow and forced it onto the defensive. The immediate threat was eliminated to the capital and the Nazi Army suffered from the first serious defeat during the whole world war. But apart from this very important policy success there was also a strategic one: Nazi’s plans of the high command in the blitzkrieg were thwarted.

Here on the Holy Land of Zelenograd the first step to Victory was made. People from Zelenograd remember and honor their land and grandfathers who have left their blood here. This date will be celebrated all over Moscow and all over Russia, but for Zelenograd it is of the most importance.

Traditionally the preparations for the feast come down to two main areas. First of all it is social assistance to veterans and secondly preparation of festive events.

Today Zelenograd is the home for nearly 3,000 veterans, 290 of which are invalids and participants of war, including 38 participants of defence of Moscow, the others are workers of the home front.

Today all the veterans in Zelenograd are provided with the residential area. Last year 43 veterans’ apartments were repaired, this year they plan to renovate 36 apartments extra. If it is needed, veterans are provided with appliances, free hairdressing, shoe repairing, appliances, and during the memorial dates (for example that, which we are prepared to meet now) in addition to pensions and allowances they have one-time payments. Veterans also can receive necessary medical care.

But social assistance is not just money: it's our love, respect and endless gratitude.

Promotions in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the beginning of counterattack near Moscow will begin in May. There will be over 80 events, including the "Edge of Glory": three war memorial will be connected with a continuous ribbon of St. George. This tradition was born in Zelenograd in the days of preparation for the 70th anniversary of the Victory, when young people together with the veterans were involved in it.

The youth takes an active part in preparing and carrying out various activities in Zelenograd. For example volunteers constantly carry out the action "Clean Windows" for veterans and participate in courses of computer literacy for them.

A youth group "The Cascade" is engaged in exploration works in the district. Guys together with the historians search archived documents and restore the names of fallen soldiers. Last year two new Military Historical Museum have been already opened on the base of these findings. And how many young people have participated in the March of "Immortal regiment"!

The main aim in all the festivities is to ensure the continuity of memory among young people, their future children and grandchildren, won’t let them to forget the sacrifice, which our soldiers and homefront workers have brought for the sake of our lives.