How did Civilians Survive the Siege of Leningrad?

The Siege of Leningrad, lasting from 8 September 1941 to 27 January 1944, was the single bloodiest siege in history. Over 872 days, the German and Finnish forces encircled the city, cutting off supply routes and subjecting its inhabitants to relentless bombardment, starvation, and extreme cold. Despite unimaginable suffering, civilians found ways to make it through almost 2.5 years of nonstop starvation and a complete lack of the things they needed just to survive.

The Initial Shock and Rationing System

At the onset of the siege, Leningrad housed around 3 million civilians, including 400,000 children. The Soviet government had underestimated the possibility of a prolonged blockade and failed to evacuate sufficient numbers before the siege began. As German forces severed all major supply lines, the city was plunged into an immediate food crisis.

Authorities introduced strict rationing, prioritizing soldiers and essential workers. Civilians received diminishing amounts of bread, eventually reduced to as little as 125 grams per person per day. To stretch supplies, the bread was mixed with sawdust and cellulose. Ration cards became essential, and theft or loss of a card meant almost certain starvation.

(Women and children were often put to work, here they are digging trenches as part of the city’s defense)

Scavenging and Substitutes for Food

As food supplies dwindled, Leningrad’s residents turned to desperate measures to stave off starvation. They scavenged for anything remotely edible, consuming pets, birds, and even rats. People boiled leather belts, shoes, and briefcases to extract whatever nutritional value they could from the glue that held them together. Wallpaper paste, containing potato starch, was also used to make a form of soup. Weeds, grass, and tree bark were gathered and processed into meal substitutes.

Reports of cannibalism, although horrifying, were documented. The authorities dealt harshly with those caught, executing many in an attempt to maintain order. Yet, for many, there was no other option.

Surviving the Cold and Finding Shelter

Leningrad’s winters were brutal, with temperatures dropping below -30°C. The blockade deprived the city of heating and electricity, forcing residents to burn furniture, books, and wooden fixtures for warmth. Factories, which had once produced goods for Soviet industry, were repurposed to provide rudimentary heating where possible.

Without running water, people had to collect ice and snow, often venturing onto the frozen Neva River under the threat of enemy fire. Firewood became as valuable as food, and desperate civilians dismantled abandoned buildings for fuel. Many froze to death in their homes, unable to secure warmth.

(Children working in a factory putting together sub-machine guns during the siege)

The Road of Life – Lake Ladoga

One of the few lifelines for Leningrad’s citizens was the makeshift supply route across Lake Ladoga, known as the “Road of Life.” During summer, boats ferried food and supplies across the lake; in winter, trucks and even horse-drawn sledges crossed the frozen surface. This precarious route was frequently bombed by the Germans, and many vehicles fell through the ice. Nonetheless, it remained the city’s only connection to the outside world, bringing in limited food and evacuating some civilians.

Despite the dangers, many took the risk of walking across the ice in search of safety. Some perished from the cold or enemy fire, but others made it to areas where they could receive better rations.

Maintaining Morale and Cultural Resilience

Remarkably, amid the suffering, Leningrad’s citizens clung to culture and morale. Libraries remained open, and people continued to borrow books, finding solace in literature. Musicians and artists persisted in their craft, with the most famous example being the performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony in August 1942. Performed by a starving orchestra and broadcast over loudspeakers, the symphony symbolized defiance against the German siege.

Religious faith also played a role in maintaining morale. Despite Soviet anti-religious policies, many turned to spiritual practices for comfort. Some churches remained open, providing a rare space for solace and hope.

(There were so many bodies that they were often just stacked up in piles, leading to disease and the temptation of cannibalism for those hungry enough)

Community Support and Survival Strategies

Although suffering was immense, Leningrad’s residents demonstrated extraordinary solidarity. Neighbors shared food and firewood, helping each other endure. Those who worked in factories producing military supplies often had better access to rations and would share them with weaker members of the community. Soup kitchens, although limited, provided essential sustenance to thousands.

Hospitals operated under dire conditions, with doctors and nurses continuing to treat the sick despite malnutrition and lack of medicine. Many medical staff died while treating others, refusing to abandon their duty.

The Psychological Toll and Perseverance

Surviving the siege required not just physical resilience but immense psychological strength. The city’s inhabitants endured daily bombings, starvation, and the sight of death everywhere. Many succumbed to despair, while others held onto hope, convinced that the Red Army would eventually break the siege.

Personal diaries from the time, such as those of teenage girl Tanya Savicheva, recorded the heartbreaking reality of families perishing one by one. These documents stand as stark reminders of human suffering and resilience.

The End of the Siege and Aftermath

After prolonged suffering, Soviet forces finally lifted the blockade on 27 January 1944. By then, over a million civilians had perished, mostly from starvation. Survivors emerged emaciated and traumatized but victorious in their endurance. The city’s resilience became a symbol of Soviet strength, and Leningrad was later awarded the title of Hero City.

Despite the horrors endured, those who survived rebuilt their lives. The memory of the siege remains a poignant chapter in history, a testament to human determination in the face of unimaginable hardship.

The civilians of Leningrad survived the siege through a combination of sheer willpower, communal support, ingenuity, and an unbreakable spirit. They endured starvation, bitter cold, and constant danger, yet found ways to resist and maintain their humanity. Their survival is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, ensuring their story continues to inspire future generations.