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THE Russian city where the Red Army decisively defeated German forces in the second world war will once again be known as Stalingrad - at least on the days commemorating the victory.

The city was renamed Volgograd in 1961 as part of the Soviet Union's rejection of dictator Joseph Stalin's personality cult.

But the name Stalingrad is inseparable with the battle, in which at least 1.25 million people died.

Russia plans extensive ceremonies on Saturday to mark the 70th anniversary of the German surrender in the southern city on the Volga.

The Volgograd city council today agreed to use the name Stalingrad in city statements on the commemoration day, on Russia's May 9 Victory Day and on four other days connected with the battle, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.