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Europe - Circa 1943: The footage begins with the history of the Russian people defending their land, showing scenes of a medieval battle in the snow. Cavalry charges forward, engaging in a sword and spear battle, with Russian soldiers fiercely resisting the invaders. The Russian leader, mounted on horseback, commands the start of the attack, embodying the spirit of Russian resilience. A text quote by Alexander Nevsky is displayed, emphasizing his famous stand against foreign invaders. The narrative then transitions to the invasion of 1704 by the Swedish against Russia. Cannons fire, and Russian forces, led by Peter the Great, take up arms to defend their homeland. Reenacted scenes of the Battle of Poltava follow, showing Peter the Great directing his troops to launch a counterattack. The Swedish army is shown retreating, marking their defeat and the defense of Russian soil. The story continues with the invasion of 1812, as Napoleon’s troops march toward Moscow, only to find the city in flames. The scenes depict the burning of the city, symbolizing the Russian spirit of resistance and the strategy of scorched earth that ultimately led to Napoleon’s failure. This powerful imagery reinforces the idea of the Russian people’s long history of defending their land against foreign invaders. (Footage by Roberto Machado Noa/Getty Images)