On 25 January 1945 Küstrin was declared a Wehrmacht (Germany Army) stronghold when Soviet troops were detected advancing westwards.

From the eastern side of Küstrin the streets were flooded with refugees attempting to cross the Oder river. Recruits were picked out by the SS for the defence of the stronghold.

Any disobedience was countered by execution or public humiliation by being forced to wear a sign displaying ‘I am a coward’. This would be worn around the neck of the deserters.

By 14:00 on 25 January, the first Soviet tanks reached the northern city outskirts. By February, the Red Army had begun to seize family businesses in the new city of Küstrin and subjecting the owners to support them, such as cooking for the Soviet troops.

Meanwhile, the population of the old city was not aware of the events. Outlets were spreading propaganda of all the citizens uniting against the occupants and assuring that they would prevail.

On 19 February, the electricity and water supply was cut off, leaving the wells as the only water source. The same day, the evacuation of 80,000-10,000 civilians began. A group was assembled at the marketplace each night and escorted to the trains heading to Seelow.

The remaining civilians had to share bunkers with the military personnel at below-zero temperatures without electricity and limited access to food. They were only allowed to go outside at night either for evacuation or information referral.

The exact number of citizens deaths remains unknown until today, as more bodies are still being recovered.