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 the Germans from capturing it. The battle was characterized by brutal urban warfare and significant casualties on both sides. The battle ended with the encirclement and surrender of the German 6th Army, which was a significant defeat for Adolf Hitler. The victory at Stalingrad boosted Soviet morale and marked the beginning of a series of offensives that would eventually lead to the defeat of Germany in 1945.