Important Russian Events in World War II By alexanderkrah Jul 23, 1940 Soviets take Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia #9 Jun 22, 1941 Russia Declares War on Germany #1 My first choice. Most important Period: Jun 22, 1941 to Apr 29, 1945 The period of Russia's involvement in the war Jul 13, 1941 The Soviet Army gets into Smolensk #8 Jul 17, 1942 The Battle of Stalingrad Begins #5 Feb 2, 1943 The Battle of Stalingrad ends #6 Jul 4, 1943 The Battle of Kursk #7 Jul 11, 1944 The German 9th Army is obliterated by Russia #4 Mar 31, 1945 Russia plans to attack Berlin #3 Apr 29, 1945 Germany Surrenders but fighting goes on in Japan #2 Sep 2, 1945 The official end of fighting in WW2 #10