Why is 1941 called both tragic and heroic in the history of the Great Patriotic War?

This year was the worst for the USSR and for the Soviet army. Then the Germans, with a swift blow, were able to sweep and crush entire armies that stood in their way, and they were also able to occupy vast territories. Thus, the Red Army suffered huge losses, millions of killed soldiers and millions of prisoners. On the other hand, Soviet soldiers fiercely fought against the Nazis, not sparing their lives.