Liberation of Yugoslavia

The Red Army entered Yugoslavia at the plea of the National Committee for the Liberation of Yugoslavia (NKOY) which administered the partisan-controlled territories. The Chairman of the NKOY and Supreme Commander of the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito flew to Moscow to negotiate joint actions for the liberation of Serbia and the Yugoslav capital of Belgrade in September 1944. A group of Soviet troops reached the Bulgarian-Yugoslav border and launched the Belgrade Offensive in late September.

The operation (September 28, 1944 – October 20, 1944) was conducted by the 3rd Ukrainian Front (Fyodor Tolbukhin), part of the 2nd Ukrainian Front (Rodion Malinovsky), and units of the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia (Josip Broz Tito).

In a course of operation they pierced the enemy’s defense in the Serbian Carpathians, encircled and defeated the main forces of the German Army Group Serbia. Belgrade and the greater part of Serbia were liberated by October 20, 1944. The people of Yugoslavia warmly welcomed the Soviet soldiers as liberators. During the Belgrade Offensive the Red Army lost 35,000 officers and soldiers, over 4,000 of them were killed.

Soviet troops cross the river at Batina, the Battle of Batina 1944

Soviet troops cross the river at Batina, the Battle of Batina 1944

Soviet troops cross the river at Batina, the Battle of Batina 1944

Soviet troops cross the river at Batina, the Battle of Batina 1944

Soviet troops cross the river at Batina, the Battle of Batina 1944

Soviet troops cross the river at Batina, the Battle of Batina 1944

Unknown officers of the Red Army in Yugoslavia

Unknown officers of the Red Army in Yugoslavia

Unknown officers of the Red Army in Yugoslavia

Photo from October 23, 1944, liberators - soldiers of the Danube Military Flotilla and local residents, Novi Sad, Serbia

Photo from October 23, 1944, liberators - soldiers of the Danube Military Flotilla and local residents, Novi Sad, Serbia

Photo from October 23, 1944, liberators - soldiers of the Danube Military Flotilla and local residents, Novi Sad, Serbia

Guards Captain of the Red Army O. Ivanov among the residents of the liberated Belgrade

Guards Captain of the Red Army O. Ivanov among the residents of the liberated Belgrade

Guards Captain of the Red Army O. Ivanov among the residents of the liberated Belgrade

A Red Army soldier conducts a mine clearing of a street in a Yugoslav city after its liberation during the Belgrade Operation

A Red Army soldier conducts a mine clearing of a street in a Yugoslav city after its liberation during the Belgrade Operation

A Red Army soldier conducts a mine clearing of a street in a Yugoslav city after its liberation during the Belgrade Operation

Jubilant Yugoslavia. Belgrade

Jubilant Yugoslavia. Belgrade

Jubilant Yugoslavia. Belgrade

Servicemen with the flag of Yugoslavia on the roof of the Yugoslav Assembly

Servicemen with the flag of Yugoslavia on the roof of the Yugoslav Assembly

Servicemen with the flag of Yugoslavia on the roof of the Yugoslav Assembly

Yugoslav peasants greet a Soviet pilot who landed on Yugoslav territory

Yugoslav peasants greet a Soviet pilot who landed on Yugoslav territory

Yugoslav peasants greet a Soviet pilot who landed on Yugoslav territory

Flags of the USSR and Yugoslavia over the city. Public rally

Flags of the USSR and Yugoslavia over the city. Public rally

Flags of the USSR and Yugoslavia over the city. Public rally

Flying the national flag. Public rally

Flying the national flag. Public rally

Flying the national flag. Public rally

Obelisk atop the grave of Soviet soldiers

Obelisk atop the grave of Soviet soldiers

Obelisk atop the grave of Soviet soldiers

Soviet and Yugoslav troops on the streets of Belgrade

Soviet and Yugoslav troops on the streets of Belgrade

Soviet and Yugoslav troops on the streets of Belgrade

Storming the city of Belgrade

Storming the city of Belgrade

Storming the city of Belgrade

In Belgrade in October 1944. Captain Dmitry Kudryashov

In Belgrade in October 1944. Captain Dmitry Kudryashov

In Belgrade in October 1944. Captain Dmitry Kudryashov

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