The Brest Fortress assault began in the morning June 22, 1941. Barracks and residential houses of the command sustained heavy artillery fire and air strikes. However, the element of surprise did not work and the defenders managed to form a solid defense.
That day, the Nazi invaders attempted to burst into the citadel eight times but to no avail. Then, it was decided to change the tactics from an assault to a siege. Troops that managed to break inside encircled the fortress to cut off the Soviet forces from a route to the exit and to disrupt weapon and food supplies. Prolonged fighting ensued that continued for several weeks.
By the end of July 1941, the Wehrmacht forces captured the majority of the fortress but the last groups of Soviet soldiers continued resisting till autumn.
During the defense of the Brest Fortress, its defenders showed courage, endurance, valor and selflessness.