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Stalin's Communist Russia signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler's Nazi Germany in order to keep the aggressive Hitler away from Russia.
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Germany, together with its allies (Finland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy), invaded Russia in a gigantic surprise attack.
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Stalin orders the 'scorched earth' strategy.
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German army group 'centre' takes Smolensk, just 220 miles from Moscow.
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The foremost German forces reach 27km from Moscow, but can advance no further due to strong Russian resistance.
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The Russian flanking counter attack around Stalingrad begins
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The Germans fail to break the encirclement of their army in Stalingrad
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The last German forces in Stalingrad surrender.
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The Russians liberate Smolensk.
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The Russians liberate Kiev.
