The Battle of Stalingrad, fought from 1942 to 1943, was a pivotal confrontation in World War II between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. It marked a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front. The Soviet victory halted the German advance into the Soviet Union and began a series of offensive operations that would eventually lead to the defeat of the Axis powers. The battle was marked by brutal combat and significant casualties on both sides, with the encirclement and surrender of German forces exemplifying the resilience of the Red Army and boosting Soviet morale.