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Strategic operations of the Red Army in World War II

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The Strategic operations of the Red Army in World War II were major military events on the Eastern Front during the Second World War, commonly conducted by at least one Front or major part of its forces. The operations could be either defensive, offensive, a withdrawal, an encirclement, or a siege, always conducted by at least two Services of the armed forces, the ground forces and the air forces, and often included the naval forces. In most cases the strategic operations were divided into operational phases which were large operations in their own right. In very few cases the phases were tactical, such as those requiring amphibious landings.

Contents

Introduction

In Soviet historiography, the Great Patriotic War (termed the Eastern Front by Germany and western historians) is divided into periods:

  1. First (22 June 1941 – 18 November 1942)
  2. Second (19 November 1942 – 31 December 1943)
  3. Third (1 January 1944 – 9 May 1945)

The war with Japan, the Campaign in the Far East including the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation, (9 August 1945–2 September 1945) is seen as a separate theater of operations from the Great Patriotic War.

During the course of the Second World War the Red Army carried out a number of different military operations. The scope of these operations, usually known by the major cities around which they took place, was usually termed "operational-strategic" or "strategic", depending on the scale. An "operational-strategic" operation was usually undertaken by at least a group of Armies or a single Front. A "strategic" operation usually demanded cooperation of several Fronts to achieve its objectives. In both cases the operations could last from a week to several months. Strategic operations were combined into seasonal campaigns, because weather and ground conditions affected planning.

Summer–Autumn campaign of 1941 (22 June – 4 December)

  • Axis Operation Barbarossa
  • Baltic Operation (1941) 22 June – 9 July 1941
    • Baltic Border Defensive Battles 22–24 June 1941 Shyaulyai Counter-Offensive (1941) 24–27 June 1941 Battle of Hanko (1941) 22 June – 2 December 1941
  • German Battle of Białystok-Minsk/Offensive Campaign in Belorussia 22–29 June 1941
  • Belorussian Strategic Defensive 22 June – 9 July 1941
    • Belorussian Border Defensive Battles 22–25 June 1941 Borisov-Lepel' Offensive 6–9 July 1941
  • L'vov-Chernovitsy Strategic Defensive 22 June – 9 July 1941
    • Ukrainian Border Defensive Battles 22–27 June 1941 L'vov-Lutsk Defensive 27 June – 2 July 1941 Stanislav-Proskurov Defensive 3–6 July 1941
  • German and Finnish Operation Arctic Fox 29 June – mid-July 1941
  • Arctic-Karelia Strategic Defensive 29 June – 10 October 1941
    • Murmansk-Kandalaksha Defensive 29 June – 19 September 1941 Vyborg-Keksholm Defensive 29 June – 23 September 1941 Defensives on the Kestengsky direction 1 July – 10 October 1941 Defensives on the Petrozavodsk, Ukhinskom-Rugozerskom, and Olonetskom directions 1 July – 10 October 1941
  • Moldavian Defensive 1–26 July 1941
  • Kiev Strategic Defensive (1941) 7 July – 26 September 1941
    • Korosten Defensive 11 July – 20 August 1941 Novgorod-Volynskii Defensive 10 July – 20 August 1941 Uman Defensive 15 July – 4 August 1941 Tiraspol-Melitopol Defensive 27 July – 28 September 1941 Kiev-Priluki Defensive 20 August – 26 September 1941 Malin Offensive 5–8 August 1941
  • Leningrad Strategic Defensive 10 July – 30 September 1941
    • Tallinn Defensive 10 July – 10 August 1941 Kingisepp-Luga Defensive 10 July – 23 September 1941 Soltsy-Dno Offensive 15–20 July 1941 Staraia-Russa Offensive 8–23 August 1941 Demyansk Defensive 6–26 September 1941
  • Battle Of Smolensk 10 July – 10 September 1941
    • Smolensk Defensive 10 July – 10 August 1941 Smolensk Offensive 21 July – 7 August 1941 Rogechev-Zhlobin Offensive 13–24 July 1941 Gomel-Trubchevsk Defensive 24 July – 30 August 1941 Dukhovskina Offensive 17 August – 8 September 1941 Yelnia Offensive 30 August – 8 September 1941 Roslavl-Novozybkov Offensive 30 August – 12 September 1941
  • Odessa Defensive 5 August – 16 October 1941
  • German Operation Wotan (Angriff am Moskow) 9 September
  • Donbass-Rostov Strategic Defensive 29 September – 16 November 1941
    • Sumy-Kharkov Defensive 30 September – 30 November 1941
  • Axis Crimean Campaign 26 September 1941 – 15 May 1942
    • Donbass Defensive (1941) 29 September – 4 November 1941 Rostov Defensive 5–16 November 1941
  • Moscow Strategic Defensive 30 September – 5 December 1941
    • Orel-Bryansk Defensive 30 September – 23 October 1941 Vyazma Defensive 2–13 October 1941 Kalinin Defensive 10 October – 4 December 1941 Mozhaisk-Maloyaroslavets Defensive 10–30 October 1941 Tula Defensive 24 October – 5 December 1941 Klin-Solnechnogorsk Defensive 15 November – 5 December 1941 Naro-Fominsk Defensive 1–5 December 1941
  • Tikhvin Defensive 16 October – 18 November 1941
  • Crimean Defensive 18 October – 16 November 1941
  • Defense of Sevastopol 30 October 1941 – 4 July 1942
  • Tikhvin Strategic Offensive 10 November – 30 December 1941
    • Tikhvin-Kirishsk Offensive 12 November – 30 December 1941 Malo-Vishersk Offensive 10 November – 30 December 1941
  • Rostov Strategic Offensive 17 November – 2 December 1941
    • Bolshekrepinsk Offensive 17–27 November 1941 Rostov Offensive 27 November – 2 December 1941

    Winter campaign of 1941/42 (5 December 1941 – 30 April 1942)

  • Moscow Strategic Offensive 5 December 1941 – 7 January 1942
    • Kalinin Offensive 5 December 1941 – 7 January 1942 Klin–Solnechnogorsk Offensive 6–25 December 1941 Yelets Offensive 6–16 December 1941 Tula Offensive 6–16 December 1941 Kaluga Offensive 17 December 1941 – 5 January 1942 Naro–Fominsk Offensive 24 December 1941 – 8 January 1942
  • Kerch–Feodosia Amphibious 25 December 1941 – 2 January 1942
    • Kerch Landing 25 December 1941 – 2 January 1942 Feodosia Landing 25 December 1941 – 2 January 1942
  • Oboyan–Kursk Offensive 3–26 January 1942
  • Lyuban Offensive 7 January – 30 April 1942
  • Demyansk Offensive – first phase (1942) 7 January – 20 May 1942
  • Orel–Bolkhov Offensive 8 January – 28 April 1942
  • Rzhev–Vyazma Strategic Offensive 8 January – 20 April 1942
    • Sychevka–Vyazma Offensive 8 January – 28 February 1942 Mozhaisk–Vyazma Offensive 10 January – 28 February 1942 Toropets–Kholm Offensive 9 January – 6 February 1942 Vyazma Airborne 18 January – 28 February 1942 Rzhev–Vyazma Offensive 3 March – 20 April 1942 Demyansk Offensive – second phase (1942) 7 January – 20 May 1942
  • Barvenkovo–Lozovaya Offensive 18–31 January 1942
  • Crimean Offensive 27 January – 15 April 1942
  • Bolkhov Offensive 24 March – 3 April 1942

    • Summer–Autumn campaign of 1942 (1 May – 18 November)

  • German Demjansk Pocket 8 February – 21 April 1942
  • Volkhov Offensive 24 March – 3 April 1942
  • Battle of the Kerch Peninsula 8–19 May 1942
  • Izium bridgehead offensive 12–29 May 1942
  • Rescue of 2nd Shock Army 13 May – 10 July 1942
  • Axis Case Blue 28 June – 19 August 1942
    • German Fall Kremel ("Case Kremlin" in English) was a German deception for a summer offensive aimed at Moscow Axis Case Blue – Woronesh Army Group B Axis Case Blue – Stalingrad 6th Army Axis Case Blue – Baku Army Group A
  • Voronezh–Voroshilovgrad Strategic Defensive 28 June – 24 July 1942
    • 1st Kastornoye Defensive 28 June – 10 July 1942 2nd Kastornoye Defensive 9–24 July 1942 Valuiki–Rossosh Defensive 28 June – 24 July 1942 Voroshilovgrad–Shakhty Defensive 7–24 July 1942
  • Donbass Defensive (1942) 7–24 July 1942
  • German Operation Seydlitz 12 July 1942
  • Stalingrad Strategic Defensive 17 July – 18 November 1942
    • Defensive Battles at Distant Approaches 17 July – 17 August 1942 Defensive Battles on Near Approaches and in Stalingrad 19 August – 18 November 1942
  • Rzhev–Sychevka Offensive 30 July – 23 August 1942
  • Sinyavino Offensive 19 August – 10 October 1942
  • Axis Operation Braunschweig 23 July 1942 –
  • Axis Operation Edelweiss 23 July – 21 August 1942
  • North Caucasian Strategic Defensive 25 July – 31 December 1942
    • Tikhoretsk–Stavropol' Defensive 25 July – 5 August 1942 Armavir–Maikop Defensive 6–17 August 1942 Novorossiysk Defensive 19 August – 26 September 1942 Mozdok–Malgobek Defensive 1–28 September 1942
  • Axis Operation Blücher 2 September 1942
    • Tuapse Defensive 25 September – 20 December 1942 Nalckik–Ordzhonikidze Defensive 25 October – 12 November 1942

    Winter campaign of 1942-1943 (19 November 1942 – 3 March 1943)

  • Stalingrad Strategic Offensive 19 November 1942 – 2 February 1943
    • Operation Uranus 19–30 November 1942 Kotelnikovo Offensive 12–31 December 1942 Middle Don Offensive (Operation Little Saturn) 16–30 December 1942 Operation Koltso (Operation Ring) 10 January – 2 February 1943
  • Rzhev-Sychevka Strategic Offensive (Operation Mars) 25 November – 20 December 1942
    • Sychevka Offensive 24 November – 14 December 1942 Belyi Offensive 25 November – 16 December 1942 Luchesa Offensive 25 November – 11 December 1942 Molodoi Tud Offensive 25 November – 23 December 1942 Velikie-Luki Offensive 24 November 1942 – 20 January 1943
  • North Caucasian Strategic Offensive 1 January – 4 February 1943
    • Salsk-Rostov Offensive 1 January – 4 February 1943 Mozdok-Stavropol Offensive 1–24 January 1943 Novorossiysk-Maikop Offensive 11 January – 4 February 1943 Tikhoretsk-Eisk Offensive 24 January – 4 February 1943
  • Axis Defence of the Kuban bridgeheads
  • Operation Iskra (Operation Spark, Breaking of the Leningrad Blockade) 12–30 January 1943
    • Krasnoborsko-Smerdynskaya offensive
  • Voronezh-Kharkov Strategic Offensive 13 January – 3 March 1943
    • Ostrogozhsk-Rossosh Offensive 13–27 January 1943 Voronezh-Kastornoye Offensive 24 January – 2 February 1943 Voroshilovgrad Offensive (Operation Skachok) 29 January – 18 February 1943 Kharkov Offensive (Operation Zvezda) 2 February – 3 March 1943 Orel (Maloarkhangelsk) Offensive 5–28 February 1943 Lvov Offensive 15 February – 1 March 1943
  • Donbass Mariupol Offensive 16–23 February 1943
  • Krasnodar Offensive 9 February – 24 May 1943
  • Demyansk Offensive (Operation Pol'arnaya Zvezda) 15–28 February 1943
  • German Operation Büffel
  • Rzhev-Vyaz'ma Offensive (Operation Jupiter) 2–31 March 1943
  • Kharkov Defensive 4–25 March 1943
  • 1st Taman Offensive 4 April – 10 May 1943
    • 2nd Taman Offensive 26 May 1943 – 22 August 1944

    Summer–Autumn campaign of 1943 (1 July – 31 December)

  • German Operation Citadel
  • Kursk Strategic Defensive 5–23 July 1943
    • Orel–Kursk Defensive 5–11 July 1943 Belgorod–Kursk Defensive 5–23 July 1943
  • Orel Strategic Offensive (Operation Kutuzov) 12 July – 18 August 1943
    • Volkhov–Orel Offensive 12 July – 18 August 1943 Kromyv–Orel Offensive 15 July – 18 August 1943
  • Donbass Strategic Offensive (July 1943) 17 July – 2 August 1943
    • Izyum–Barvenkovo Offensive 17–27 July 1943 Mius Offensive 17 July – 2 August 1943
  • 1st Mga Offensive 22 July – 22 August 1943
  • Belgorod–Khar'kov Strategic Offensive (Operation Rumyantsev) 3–23 August 1943
    • Belgorod–Bogodukhov Offensive 3–23 August 1943 Belgorod–Kharkov Offensive 3–23 August 1943 Zmiez Offensive 12–23 August 1943
  • Smolensk Strategic Offensive (Operation Suvorov) 7 August – 2 October 1943
    • Spas–Demensk Offensive 7–20 August 1943 Dukhovshchina–Demidov Offensive 1 Stage 13–18 August 1943 Yelnia–Dorogobuzh Offensive 28 August – 6 September 1943 Dukhovshchina–Demidov Offensive 2 Stage 14 September – 2 October 1943 Smolensk–Roslavl Offensive 15 September – 2 October 1943 Bryansk Offensive 17 August – 3 October 1943
  • Donbass Strategic Offensive (August 1943) 13 August – 22 September 1943
    • Barvenkovo–Pavlograd Offensive 13 August – 22 September 1943 Mius–Mariupol Offensive 18 August – 22 September 1943
  • Chernigov–Poltava Strategic Offensive 26 August 1943 – 30 September 1943
    • Chernigov–Pripyet Offensive 26 August – 30 September 1943 Sumy–Priluki Offensive 26 August – 30 September 1943 Poltava–Kremenchug Offensive 26 August – 30 September 1943
  • Novorossiysk–Taman Strategic Offensive 10 September – 9 October 1943
    • Novorossiysk Amphibious 10–16 September 1943 Taman Offensive (1943) 10 September – 9 October 1943
  • 2nd Mga Offensive 15–18 September 1943
  • Operation Concert (partisan offensive in support of Operation Suvorov) 19 September 1943
  • Lower Dnieper Offensive 26 September – 20 December 1943
    • Axis Defence of the Panther–Wotan Line Kremenchug Offensive 26 September – 10 October 1943 Melitopol Offensive 26 September – 5 November 1943 Zaporizhia Offensive 10–14 October 1943 Kremenchug–Pyatikhatki Offensive 15 October – 3 November 1943 Dnepropetrovsk Offensive 23 October – 23 December 1943 Krivoi Rog Offensive 14–21 November 1943 Apostolovo Offensive 14 November – 23 December 1943 Nikopol Offensive 14 November – 31 December 1943 Aleksandriia–Znamenka Offensive 22 November – 9 December 1943 Krivoi Rog Offensive 10–19 December 1943
  • Kiev Strategic Offensive (October 1943) 1–24 October 1943
    • Chernobyl–Radomysl Offensive 1–4 October 1943 Chernobyl–Gornostaipol Defensive 3–8 October 1943 Lyutezh Offensive 11–24 October 1943 1st Bukrin Offensive 12–15 October 1943 2nd Bukrin Offensive 21–24 October 1943
  • Byelorussian Strategic Offensive (1943) 3 October – 31 December 1943
    • Gomel–Rechitsa Offensive 30 September – 30 October 1943 Nevel Offensive 3–12 October 1943 1st Orsha Offensive 3–26 October 1943 Vitebsk (Riga) Offensive 18–30 October 1943 Idritsa Offensive 18–30 October 1943 Pskov Offensive 18–30 October 1943 Pololsk–Vitebsk Offensive 2–21 November 1943 Pustoshka-Idritsa Offensive 2–21 November 1943 Gomel-Rechitsa Offensive 10–30 November 1943 2nd Orsha Offensive 14 November – 5 December 1943 Novyi Bykhov–Propoisk Offensive 22–30 November 1943 Kalinkovichi Offensive 8–11 December 1943 Gorodok Offensive 13–31 December 1943 Idritsa-Opochka Offensive 16 December 1943 – 15 January 1944 Kalinkovichi Defensive 20–27 December 1943
  • Kerch–Eltigen Operation 31 October – 11 December 1943
  • Kiev Strategic Offensive (November 1943) 3–13 November 1943
  • Kiev Strategic Defensive (1943) 13 November – 22 December 1943

    • Winter Spring campaign of 1944 (1 January – 31 May)

  • Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive 24 December 1943 – 17 April 1944
    • Zhitomir–Berdichev Offensive 24 December 1943 – 14 January 1944 Kirovograd Offensive 5–16 January 1944 Korsun–Shevchenkovsky Offensive 24 January – 17 February 1944 German Korsun–Cherkassy Pocket Rovno–Lutsk Offensive 1 Stage 27 January – 11 February 1944 Nikopol–Krivoi Rog Offensive 2 Stage 30 January – 29 February 1944 Proskurov–Chernovtsy Offensive 4 March – 17 April 1944 Uman–Botoşani Offensive 5 March 1944 – 17 April 1944 Bereznegovatoye–Snigirevka Offensive 6–18 March 1944 Polesskoe Offensive 15 March – 5 April 1944 Odessa Offensive 26 March – 14 April 1944
  • Kalinkovichi–Mozyr Offensive 8–30 January 1944
  • Leningrad–Novgorod Strategic Offensive 14 January – 1 March 1944
    • Krasnoye Selo–Ropsha Offensive 14–30 January 1944 Novgorod–Luga Offensive 14 January – 15 February 1944 Kingisepp–Gdov Offensive 1 February – 1 March 1944 Staraia Russa–Novorzhev Offensive 18 February – 1 March 1944
  • German: Battle of Narva 2 February – 10 August 1944
    • Battle for Narva Bridgehead 2 February – 26 July 1944
  • Narva Offensive (15–28 February 1944)
  • Rogachev–Zhlobin Offensive 21–26 February 1944
  • Narva Offensive (1–4 March 1944)
  • Narva Offensive (18–24 March 1944)
  • Crimean Strategic Offensive 8 April – 12 May 1944
    • Perekop–Sevastopol Offensive 8 April – 12 May 1944 Kerch–Sevastopol Offensive 11 April – 12 May 1944
  • First Jassy–Kishinev Offensive 8 April – 6 June 1944

    • Summer–Autumn campaign of 1944 (1 June – 31 December)

  • Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive 10 June – 9 August 1944
    • Vyborg Offensive 10 June – 15 July 1944 Svir–Petrozavodsk Offensive 21 June – 9 August 1944
  • Byelorussian Strategic Offensive (Operation Bagration) 23 June – 29 August 1944
    • Vitebsk–Orsha Offensive 23–28 June 1944 Mogilev Offensive 23–28 June 1944 Bobruysk Offensive 24–29 June 1944 Polotsk Offensive 29 June – 4 July 1944 Minsk Offensive 29 June – 4 July 1944 Vilnius Offensive 5–20 July 1944 Šiauliai Offensive 5–31 July 1944 Belostock Offensive 5–27 July 1944 Lublin–Brest Offensive 18 July – 2 August 1944 Kaunas Offensive 28 July – 28 August 1944 Osovets Offensive 6–14 August 1944
  • Rezhitsa–Dvinsk Offensive 10–27 July 1944
  • Pskov-Ostov Offensive 11–31 July 1944
  • German – Operation Doppelkopf 16–27 August 1944
  • Lvov-Sandomierz Strategic Offensive 13 July – 29 August 1944
    • Lvov Offensive 13–27 July 1944 Stanislav Offensive 13–27 July 1944 Sandomierz Offensive 28 July – 29 August 1944
  • Narva Offensive 24–30 July 1944
  • German: Battle of Tannenberg Line 26 July – 10 August 1944
  • Madona Offensive 1–28 August 1944
  • Tartu Offensive 10 August – 6 September 1944
  • Jassy–Kishinev Strategic Offensive 20–29 August 1944
    • Yassi–Focsani Offensive 20–29 August 1944 Kishinev–Izmail Offensive 20–29 August 1944
  • East Carpathian Strategic Offensive 8–28 September 1944
    • Carpathian–Dukla Offensive 8–28 September 1944 Carpathian–Uzhgorod Offensive 9–28 September 1944
  • Baltic Offensive 14 September – 24 November 1944
    • Riga Offensive 14 September – 24 October 1944 Tallinn Offensive 17–26 September 1944 Moonsund Landing 5–22 October 1944 Memel Offensive 27 September – 24 November 1944
  • Courland Pocket 9 October 1944 – 8 May 1945
  • Belgrade Offensive 14 September – 24 November 1944
  • Debrecen Offensive 6–28 October 1944
  • Petsamo-Kirkenes Strategic Offensive 7–29 October 1944
  • Goldap-Gumbinnen Offensive 16–30 October 1944
  • Budapest Strategic Offensive 29 October 1944 – 13 February 1945
    • Kechkemet–Budapest Offensive 29 October – 10 December 1944 Szolnok–Budapest Offensive 29 October – 10 December 1944 Nyiregyhaza–Miskolc Offensive 1 November – 31 December 1944 Esztergom–Komarno Offensive 20 December 1944 – 15 January 1945 Szekesfehervar–Esztergom Offensive 20 December 1944 – 13 February 1945 Assault on Budapest 27 December 1944 – 13 February 1945

    Campaign in Europe 1945 (1 January – 9 May)

  • Vistula-Oder Strategic Offensive 12 January 1945 – 3 February 1945
    • Warsaw–Poznan Offensive 14 January – 3 February 1945 Sandomierz–Silesian Offensive 12 January – 3 February 1945
  • Western Carpathian Strategic Offensive 12 January – 18 February 1945
    • Kosice–Poprad Offensive 12–28 January 1945 Bel'sk Offensive 29 January – 18 February 1945 Pleshevets–Breznovsk Offensive 12 January – 18 February 1945
  • East Prussian Strategic Offensive 13 January – 25 April 1945
    • Insterburg–Königsberg Offensive 14–26 January 1945 Mlawo–Elbing Offensive 14–26 January 1945 Rastenburg–Heilsberg Offensive 27 January – 12 February 1945 Braunsberg Offensive 13–22 March 1945 Königsberg Offensive 6–9 April 1945 Zemland Offensive 13–25 April 1945
  • Lower Silesian Offensive 8–24 February 1945
    • German Siege of Breslau 13 February – 6 May 1945
  • East Pomeranian Strategic Offensive 10 February – 6 March 1945
    • Chojnice–Koeslin Offensive 10 February – 6 March 1945 Danzig Offensive 7–31 March 1945 Arnswalde–Kolberg Offensive 1 March 1945 – 18 March 1945 Altdamm Offensive 18 March – 4 April 1945
  • German Lake Balaton counteroffensive Operation Frühlingserwachen
  • Balaton Defensive 6–15 March 1945
    • Bulgarian Battle of the Transdanubian Hills
  • Moravian–Ostrava Offensive 10 March – 5 May 1945
  • Vienna Offensive 13 March – 15 April 1945
    • Győr Offensive 13 March – 4 April 1945 Veszprem Offensive 16–25 March 1945 Sopron–Baden Offensive 26 March – 4 April 1945 Nagykanizsa–Körmend Offensive 26 March – 15 April 1945 Assault on Vienna 4–13 April 1945
  • Upper Silesian Offensive 15–31 March 1945
  • Bratislava–Brno Offensive 25 March – 5 May 1945
  • Berlin Strategic Offensive 16 April – 8 May 1945
    • German Defence of the Oder–Neisse Line Settin-Rostock Offensive 16 April – 8 May 1945 German Defense of Schwedt Bridgehead 1 February – 3 March 1945 Seelow-Berlin Offensive 16 April – 2 May 1945 Cottbus–Potsdam Offensive Spremberg–Torgau Offensive 16 April – 5 May 1945 Brandenberg–Ratenow Offensive 3–8 May 1945
  • Prague Offensive 6–11 May 1945
    • Dresden–Prague Offensive 6–11 May 1945 Sudeten Offensive 6–11 May 1945 Olomout Offensive 6–9 May 1945 Jihlavo–Benesov Offensive 6–11 May 1945

    References

    Strategic operations of the Red Army in World War II Wikipedia
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