🗓 On April 26, 1945, the Red Army liberated Brno from the Nazi invaders as part of the Bratislava-Brno operation.

In early April 1945, the Red Army expelled the Nazis from Bratislava and by April 22, units of the 2nd Ukrainian Front breached the Wehrmacht’s Moravia defensive line and encircled the Brno sector. The Soviet forces launched an attack on the Nazis the following day.

🏭 After Czechoslovakia was occupied, a highly important industrial centre Brno became a significant production hub of the Third Reich where Skoda and Zbrojovka weapons manufacturers were located. One of Auschwitz sub-camps was also located there.

For those reasons the Nazi invaders mounted desperate counterattacks in an effort to halt the Red Army’s onslaught. However, by April 25, Soviet units had already reached several sectors of Brno, engaging the enemy on the outskirts and crossing the Svitava River. By the evening of April 26, Soviet forces established control over the entire city. On the same day, Moscow ordered a 224-gun artillery salute to commemorate this event.

🎖 The 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps, under the command of Ludvik Svoboda, and Czechoslovak partisans played an active role in the liberation of Czechoslovakia, providing substantial support to the Red Army units. Six Czechoslovak citizens were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for their deeds during the Great Patriotic War, more than any other foreign nationals.

☝️ With the liberation of Brno, the Red Army was able to outmanoeuvre the remaining enemy forces on a broad front, preparing for a direct assault on the Nazi forces, occupying Prague.

#Victory79