Памятник штурмовику Ил-2, World War II memorial monument in Istra, Russia.
The Il-2 Memorial in Istra features a concrete base supporting a full-scale model of the Soviet attack aircraft in a flight position. The aircraft figure was later replaced with a titanium version to improve durability against weather and time.
The monument was inaugurated in 1965 to commemorate the liberation of Istra during the Battle of Moscow in 1941. The Il-2 aircraft became an essential weapon in Soviet air operations throughout that campaign.
The memorial displays plaques with maps of Soviet counterattacks and descriptions of local combat operations from 1941. These visual elements help visitors understand how deeply the war shaped this place.
The monument is located in Istra's city park and is accessible by public transport from Moscow. A short walk of around 2.5 kilometers from the train arrival point brings visitors to the site.
This was one of the first Il-2 memorials in the Soviet Union, inspiring similar monuments to be built across the country afterward. The choice of titanium for the aircraft figure was an innovative way to ensure the monument would last for generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
