The solemn commemoration was attended by officials including Polish President Andrzej Duda and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Other high-profile attendees included Poland's upper-house Speaker Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, along with representatives from opposition parties, veteran organizations and scouts.
A Catholic mass dedicated to those killed during, or following, the 1944 uprising was led by Bishop Wiesław Lechowicz, with Archbishop Wojciech Polak, Poland's Primate, among the co-celebrants.
In his speech, the Polish president highlighted the "tragic abandonment of the uprising" by Soviet leader Josef Stalin, allowing the destruction of Warsaw "as a reprisal" for Poland's 1920 victory against the Russian army, and setting the stage for Soviet domination.
He drew parallels between the 1944 revolt in Warsaw and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, saying that the free world does not tolerate any form of occupation.
Germany's Steinmeier acknowledged the immense cruelty of the Nazi occupation and emphasized the importance of remembering the uprising.
He mentioned the ongoing dialogues between Poland and Germany regarding compensation for the victims and the collaborative efforts in NATO and the European Union, particularly in supporting Ukraine.
Warsaw's Trzaskowski commented on the critical role of the uprising in shaping postwar Poland, suggesting that the Russians refrained from rolling their tanks onto the streets of Warsaw as they had in Budapest or Prague due to the indomitable spirit of the Polish resistance.
"And I am convinced that they still know this," Trzaskowski said. "It's all thanks to you, because you have ingrained this in our genes," he added, addressing Warsaw Uprising veterans.
The event concluded with a roll call of remembrance, honoring those who fought and those who continued to preserve the memory of the uprising.
Wreaths were laid at the Warsaw Uprising Monument by state and local government officials, veteran and scout organizations, as well as community and social groups including the LGBT community and football fans.
The Warsaw Uprising was the largest single military effort taken by any European resistance movement during World War II.
Approximately 40,000 to 50,000 insurgents fought in the uprising, which lasted over two months instead of the anticipated few days.
The conflict resulted in the deaths of about 18,000 insurgents and 180,000 civilians, with the surviving population of around 500,000 being expelled from the city.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP