What are some examples of the soviet attempts to desperately hold the city

The Battle of Stalingrad was fought to hold the city back

Explanation:

At the peak of the world war 2 Germany and its allies fought with Soviet Union for the control of the city of Stalingrad. The Germany and the Russian armies withdrew huge military forces

The Russian army realized that they were in need for the money and the resources and hence they sent the order that anyone who is capable or strong enough to hold a rifle can be sent for fight

The Russians had the red army and they deployed five armies and in additional to that they had nine armies to safeguard the city