However, none of them were approved by the Fuhrer, except for the one he had suggested himself – operation “Barbarossa”.

Hitler’s evil plan, according to which both Leningrad and Moscow became vital targets for the Nazi troops, was finalized on December 18, in 1940.

Nazi troops expected the operation “Barbarossa” to take no more than several months, as Hitler’s notorious scenario was blitzkrieg or “lightning war”.

However, the plan was not as effective as its designer had imagined.

Collection of medals

General Secretary of the Communist Party, Leonid Brezhnev, was leader of the Soviet Union for 18 years.

But apparently this was not the only record he set during his long political career.

Brezhnev’s penchant for awards, medals and distinctions has been the talk of the town for decades, and it is easy to see, why.

All in all, the Soviet leader had 114 medals on his pockets, more than both of his glorious predecessors, Stalin and Khrushchev, could boast.

Among his most prestigious distinctions were the Order of Lenin, the Gold Star, as well as the highest Soviet military award, the Order of Victory, which made him the only person to receive it after the end of the WWII.

On this day only, back in 1981, Soviet Leonid Brezhnev received six medals at once as a birthday present from the USSR’s allies.

An artist to remember

One of Russia’s most cherished and versatile artists, Yuri Nikulin, was born on this day 88 years ago.

A drama actor, clown and comedian, Nikulin’s talent covered almost all spheres of art, from drama to circus.

Several generations of art lovers grew up watching Nikulin’s films. His signature smile could make you cry and laugh at once.

The multi-talented actor had been a fan of circus since childhood, thinking that the most important people in the circus are those who make others roll in the aisles.

His home away from home was the Old Moscow Circus, which later adopted Nikulin’s name.

Read more about this day in history on Russia Now