Liberation of Minsk 1944



On June 22, 1944, on the third anniversary of the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Operation Bagration, a massive counteroffensive was launched.

On the 26th of June, 1944, the Soviet 1st Baltic Front army achieved a breakthrough at Vitebsk, Belorusian city at the north of Minsk, heading towards it, towards the capital of Belarus.
Soviet forces from the northern, western, and southeastern flanks begin closing the encirclement around Minsk

Finally, on July 3, Minsk is liberated from German occupation by the Red Soviet Army which forces the invaders to retreat
The city was liberated by urban warfare and machinary like T34, KV-1B, Lakovchkin La-5 and more. This images are in the "Independence Square on Minsk", close to its center, which was later named "Victory Square" in honor to those who died in the Great Patriotic War