{"id":25378,"date":"2026-09-15T10:21:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T04:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=25378"},"modified":"2026-09-15T10:21:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T04:36:37","slug":"82-years-since-the-baltic-strategic-offensive-russia-emphasizes-preserving-the-memory-of-world-war-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=25378","title":{"rendered":"82 Years Since the Baltic Strategic Offensive: Russia Emphasizes Preserving the Memory of World War II<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dragon Media News Desk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Russia has marked the 82nd anniversary of the Baltic Strategic Offensive, launched by the Soviet Red Army against Nazi Germany\u2019s Army Group North on September 14, 1944, presenting the campaign as a decisive operation that ended Nazi control over much of the Baltic region.<\/p>\n

The offensive was aimed at defeating German forces operating in the territories of the then Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Soviet republics. Within roughly two and a half months, Soviet forces regained control over most of the Baltic region and pushed German troops westward.<\/p>\n

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Baltic Fronts spearheaded the advance toward Riga. During the opening days of the offensive, Soviet forces advanced by as much as 50 kilometres in some sectors. German forces withdrew from Tallinn on September 22, while Soviet troops took control of Riga on October 13.<\/p>\n

As the Red Army advanced, large elements of Germany\u2019s Army Group North were cut off from the main Wehrmacht forces in East Prussia and became isolated in western Latvia. The resulting encirclement became known as the Courland Pocket. German troops remained there until May 1945, when they surrendered following Germany\u2019s overall capitulation.<\/p>\n

Another major phase of the Baltic campaign was the Moonsund landing operation, which targeted German-held islands off northwestern Estonia, including Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The operation concluded on November 24, 1944.<\/p>\n

Soviet military formations made up of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian personnel also took part in fighting against Nazi Germany. Five divisions and two corps formed from Baltic-origin Red Army personnel served on the Eastern Front as part of the Soviet armed forces.<\/p>\n

Russia has also highlighted the atrocities committed during the Nazi occupation of the Baltic region, including the mass murder of Jews, Soviet citizens and other civilians. Some local collaborators joined Nazi security structures, police units and Waffen-SS formations, while concentration and detention camps operated across the region. Klooga in Estonia and Salaspils in Latvia remain among the best-known sites associated with the violent legacy of the occupation.<\/p>\n

In recent years, Moscow has repeatedly criticized Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania over disputes concerning Soviet war memorials, commemorative practices and interpretations of World War II history. Russia argues that current policies in the Baltic states seek to diminish the historical role of the Soviet Union in the defeat of Nazi Germany.<\/p>\n

The Baltic states, however, interpret the Soviet return in 1944 through a different historical lens, linking the end of Nazi occupation with the restoration of Soviet rule and the continued loss of their independence. This contrasting interpretation remains one of the central sources of historical and political tension between Russia and the Baltic countries.<\/p>\n

On the anniversary of the Baltic Strategic Offensive, Russia reiterated its call to preserve the memory of those who died fighting Nazi Germany and warned against what it describes as attempts to rewrite the history of World War II for contemporary political purposes.<\/p>\n

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