Stela in memory of the liberation of Nikel

The stela is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the liberation of Nikel from the Nazi invaders. On 22 October 1944, in the course of the Petsamo-Kirkenes operation, the town of Nikel was recaptured by the Soviet troops.
Back on the 20th October, after breaking up enemy defence near Nikel, units of the 31rd and 127th Infantry Corps had enveloped it in the nort, south and south-west. The Nazis were clinging to every convenient defence line but lost more and more manpower and equipment with every passing hour.
On 22 October the Soviet troops recaptured Nikel. As the Nazis retreated, they almopst razed it to the ground, destroying the mine and gallery structures, industrial buildings, and warehouses.