There are images that show whole districts of the city ablaze, as soldiers fight in close quarters in the street below. 

A young sniper, apparently still in his teens, grips his sniper rifle as he glances down the barrel ready to fire.

In another, a group of Russians take cover in a ditch created by the incessant German shelling, using a tank for extra cover.

Some of colourised photos are taken from a Nazi propaganda film and show German 'victories'.

Others depict Russian triumphs. In one a captured Nazi, his face bloodied, kneels as a Russian soldier looms over him.

Many of the other photos show Stalingrad in the grip of non-stop German shelling. Streets are lined with derelict, crumpled buildings, many of which are seen smoldering.

A long and harsh Winter followed, stretching suppliy chains on both sides. But with scant munitions and food, the city held out against the Nazi forces.

In January 1943 Soviet forces launched a decisive push back, decimating the German 6th Army and expelling German forces from the Caucasus, reversing their gains from the first Summer of Operation Barbarossa.

German troops of Marshal Friedrich Paulus eventually capitulated on February 2, 1943, in the first surrender by the Nazis since the war began. Paulus was captured alive and became a critic of the Nazi regime.

In 1944 the Allies invaded France and forced the Germans to retreat from the west. Later, on February 2, 1943, the Axis armies would be forced to surrender.

These striking photos comes just as Russia celebrates 75 years since the culmination of that cruel conflict.