Soviet Conquest: Berlin 1945

Conclusion

The Soviet medal for the capture of Berlin was awarded to 1,082,000 persons, which gives some indication of the number of troops involved, including Rear Area personnel, in the actual taking of the city. Over 600 officers and men were awarded the gold star of ‘Hero of the Soviet Union’, and a further thirteen received their second gold star. The Soviet military cemeteries at Treptow, Pankow and in the Tiergarten hold the bodies of approximately 20,000 of their dead.

What none of the Soviet writers here refer to is the subject and extent of rape committed by their troops within the city. It was later estimated that some 95,000 to 130,000 women were raped by Soviet troops after the fall of the city.