Raising a Flag over the Reichstag

“Raising a Flag over the Reichstag” (1945) by Yevgeny Khaldei is one of the most iconic images of the 20th century. Taken in the final days of the Battle of Berlin, it shows Soviet soldiers hoisting the hammer-and-sickle flag atop the ruined Reichstag, with a shattered Berlin stretching into the distance. The image powerfully symbolises the collapse of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.

Despite its documentary feel, the photograph was partially staged. Khaldei arrived in Berlin with a handmade flag and asked soldiers to reenact the moment for the camera, carefully composing the shot to maximize its impact. The image was also retouched before publication, removing a second watch from a soldier’s wrist, possibly to hide evidence of looting, and adding extra smoke to intensify the scene. Even so, the photograph endures as a potent symbol of triumph over Nazi rule. Quite a reminder of the immense destruction and human cost of the war.