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Body of evidence

Harrowing black and white photos taken by one Russian photographer that helped to prove Nazi atrocities during World War II

Yevgeny Khaldei spent more than 1,400 days on the frontline of the Second World War with his camera taking pictures of the horrors he saw

HE SNAPPED the iconic image of Russian soldiers hoisting the red flag over Berlin as the Nazi regime lay in ruins at the end of the Second World War.

And harrowing black and white pictures all taken by photographer Yevgeny Khaldei have helped to prove the atrocities inflicted by the Third Reich across the Soviet Union during the conflict.

The iconic image of Soviet soldiers raising the red flag over Berlin after the fall of the Nazis at the end of the Second World War
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The iconic image of Soviet soldiers raising the red flag over Berlin after the fall of the Nazis at the end of the Second World WarCredit: Getty Images
The bombed out Reichstag building in Berlin after it was captured by the Red Army after the fall of the German capital
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The bombed out Reichstag building in Berlin after it was captured by the Red Army after the fall of the German capitalCredit: Getty Images
A Soviet tank rolls across the road near to the Brandenburg Gate during the fall of Berlin
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A Soviet tank rolls across the road near to the Brandenburg Gate during the fall of BerlinCredit: Getty Images
Soviet troops gather around to mark the liberation of Germany from the Nazis in the shadow of the Brandenburg Gate
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Soviet troops gather around to mark the liberation of Germany from the Nazis in the shadow of the Brandenburg GateCredit: Getty Images

The Russian snapper spent over 1,400 days during World War II on the frontline with his camera taking pictures of the horrors he witnessed.

Among his heartbreaking pictures are ones showing relatives searching for dead civilians killed during the Nazi occupation of Rostov on Don.

While others include a bombed out bus that was targeted in Budapest following a long-running battle in the city.

A heartbreaking image snapped by Yevgeny Khaldei of people searching for their dead relatives after a Nazi massacre in Rostov on Don in Russia
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A heartbreaking image snapped by Yevgeny Khaldei of people searching for their dead relatives after a Nazi massacre in Rostov on Don in RussiaCredit: Getty Images
A bombed out bus lies in the middle of the road in Budapest, Hungary after a fierce battle during the Second World War
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A bombed out bus lies in the middle of the road in Budapest, Hungary after a fierce battle during the Second World WarCredit: Getty Images

Yegevney more than anyone knew the harsh reality of antisemitism after being born into an Orthodox Jewish family in 1917 at the beginning of the Russian Revolution.

Before his first birthday his mother was killed by a bullet as she cradled him in her arms while his fathers and sisters were slaughtered by Nazis in 1941.

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He first started out as a war photographer by snapping pictures for Stalin showing the Soviet Union during the Second World War.

But during his stint with his camera, he recorded the liberation of Sevastopol, Sofia, Belgrade, Bucharest and Vienna before the fall of Berlin.

A Red Army armoured vehicle patrols the bombed out streets of Vienna in modern day Austria
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A Red Army armoured vehicle patrols the bombed out streets of Vienna in modern day AustriaCredit: Getty Images
Smoke pours from a building in Vienna after heavy fighting between the Nazis and the Red Army
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Smoke pours from a building in Vienna after heavy fighting between the Nazis and the Red ArmyCredit: Getty Images
Yevgeny also captured this striking image of Red Army soldiers on the march to Berlin as the Nazi regime crumbled
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Yevgeny also captured this striking image of Red Army soldiers on the march to Berlin as the Nazi regime crumbledCredit: Getty Images

Afterwards, he photographed every Russian leader since Stalin as well as documenting the Nuremberg trials.

And after a 15-year court battle to regain his negatives, his daughter Anna is planning to bring her dad's pictures for a new exhibition that opens later this month.

He had a long career, which included commissioned portraits of Soviet leaders including Josef Stalin and Mikhail Gorbachev.

But he is best known for his dramatic image of soldiers unfurling a large Soviet flag on the roof-edge of the Reichstag after the Red Army took control of the seat of Nazi power on May 2, 1945.

Even though Yevgeny's photographs were harrowing, some also showed the joy of the conflict coming to an end
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Even though Yevgeny's photographs were harrowing, some also showed the joy of the conflict coming to an endCredit: Getty Images
People line the streets in Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia to welcome Soviet soldiers liberating the city
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People line the streets in Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia to welcome Soviet soldiers liberating the cityCredit: Getty Images
As Bulgaria was also taken from Nazi control, people came out on to the streets to celebrate with the Soviet soldiers
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As Bulgaria was also taken from Nazi control, people came out on to the streets to celebrate with the Soviet soldiersCredit: Getty Images
A little boy is scooped up in the arms of a Red Army soldier as the Second World War comes to an end
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A little boy is scooped up in the arms of a Red Army soldier as the Second World War comes to an endCredit: Getty Images
A woman in Bulgaria embraces a Soviet soldier and plants a kiss on his cheek after the country is liberated
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A woman in Bulgaria embraces a Soviet soldier and plants a kiss on his cheek after the country is liberatedCredit: Getty Images

Although the photo became the most potent image of the Red Army's gruelling offensive against Nazi Germany, Khaldei's career declined soon after.

He was fired from Russian state news agency Tass in 1948 as many believe he was a victim of anti-antisemitism and earned a living as a freelancer for many years.

A few months before his death in 1997, he signed an agreement with a New York-based photojournalist to be his agent.

But his daughter Anna Khaldie later filed a lawsuit, claiming the agent seized more than 3,000 of his negatives, as well as prints.

lack Sea Fleet naval aviation unit commanded by Colonel Tokarev have a dinner on the aerodrome
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lack Sea Fleet naval aviation unit commanded by Colonel Tokarev have a dinner on the aerodromeCredit: Getty Images
Pilots of the 46 Female Taman aviation regiment gather around before flying
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Pilots of the 46 Female Taman aviation regiment gather around before flyingCredit: Getty Images
A shooters unit uses donkeys to transport ammunition to their location in the mountains on the Eastern Front
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A shooters unit uses donkeys to transport ammunition to their location in the mountains on the Eastern FrontCredit: Getty Images

After a series of court rulings, she was able to take possession of the negatives last week, just days before the what would have been her father's 100th birthday.

She said: "For Yevgeny Khaldei, every photo he took was very dear. It's not only the events he photographed but the people who participated in the events."

Last week we brought you fascinating black and white images showing kids huddling in air raid shelters and playing war games amidst the ruins during their childhood in WW2 Britain.

We also reported on the amazing story of six evacuee sisters who brought themselves up after their mother died at the beginning of the war.

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