The city was the scene of heavy fighting, first during the Russian civil was in 1918, and again during World War II when the costliest battle in human history leading to the loss of nearly 2 million human lives was fought. The city was almost reduced to rubble during this battle, but was rebuilt to become one of the most important and vibrant industrial cities of Southern Russia.

The first Soviet Tractor was built in this city in the year 1930. Today, it houses major industries like ship building, heavy machine building, equipment for the oil drilling industry, chemicals and petrochemicals. It is also a major center for trans-shipment of cargo by rail and river.

Volgograd, a city with a population of over 1 million, is well connected by Air to Moscow, St Petersburg, Kiev, Tbilisi, Sochi and many other places. It is also a major railway junction with links to Moscow, the Caucasus, and Siberia etc. The European Highway linking Calais in France to Ridder in Kazakhastan passes through Volgograd.