The Battle of Stalingrad was a major confrontation during World War II, fought between the forces of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union from August 1942 to February 1943. It marked a turning point in the war, as the Soviet Red Army successfully defended the city of Stalingrad, preventing German forces from advancing further into the Soviet Union. The battle was characterized by brutal urban warfare and significant casualties on both sides. Approximately 2 million people were involved, and it is estimated that over 1 million soldiers and civilians died. The defeat of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad weakened their eastern front and boosted Soviet morale.