The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has released declassified archival documents detailing the investigations conducted by the "NKVD's Anti-Sabotage Units" (an anti-spy and counterintelligence organization established by Stalin during World War II) into war crimes committed after the capture of Königsberg (Kaliningrad).
On April 6, 1945, the Red Army launched a major assault on the fortress city of Königsberg, and the city's garrison surrendered on April 9.
Subsequently, personnel from the "NKVD's Anti-Sabotage Units" began investigating crimes committed by Nazi officials against Soviet prisoners of war and Soviet civilians forcibly conscripted into Germany.
According to the released documents, the investigation confirmed large-scale executions carried out by Nazi Party officials.
In interrogation, Otto Mässon, head of the local Nazi party organization, admitted that as the Red Army approached, Nazis executed Soviet prisoners of war and civilians remaining in concentration camps within the city.
Mässon's testimony stated: "From early February 1945 to April 5, 1945, members of my own party organization, together with a special detachment of ten members from the People's Storm (Volkssturm), executed approximately 1,500 Soviet and Italian prisoners of war, as well as civilians abducted by the Nazis from occupied Soviet territories, including women and children."
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861950656290816/
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