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2540 - Kursk, Russia

Kursk was first built as a fortress city, west of the Kur River. It was first mentioned in 1032 and gained city status in 1779. 

Between 1360 - 1508 it was a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. After that it joined Russia and became Russia's southern border. During the Second World War, Kursk was occupied by Germany from 1941-43. After losing the city in 1943, the German's attempted to retake Kursk via Operation Citadel. During the operation, the world's largest tank battles took place during the Battle of Prokhorovka, about 90 km from Kursk. The 5th Guards Tank Army of the Soviet Red Army attacked the II SS-Panzer Corps of the German Waffen-SS. The Germans lost 842 men, along with 80 tanks and 19 aircraft, while the Soviet's lost 5500 men, along with 400 tanks, and 14 fighter aircraft. Even though the Soviets had significant loses, the Germans cancelled Operation Citadel even though Hitler's advisors wanted to continue the battle. Hitler instead re-deployed his forces elsewhere. 

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