Malakhov Kurgan

a dominating height southeast of Sevastopol’ (today within the city limits) that became one of the principal defensive strongpoints during the defense of Sevastopol’ in 1854-55. The Malakhov Kurgan was the principal object of assaults on June 6 and Aug. 27, 1855. On August 27 superior French forces took the height, after which the Russian troops abandoned the southern part of Sevastopol’. Admirals V. A. Kornilov and P. S. Nakhimov were mortally wounded on Malakhov Kurgan, and V. I. Istomin was killed there.

During the Sevastopol’ defense of 1941-42, Malakhov Kurgan was an area of Soviet artillery positions. When the city was stormed by fascist German troops on June 30, 1942, there was fierce fighting in the area of the height. In 1958 an eternal flame was ignited at the top of Malakhov Kurgan on the grave of the Unknown Sailor to honor the heroes who died in the battles for Sevastopol’. A branch of the Sevastopol’ Defense of 1854-55 Panorama and Museum is located on Malakhov Kurgan.