On October 5, 1939, the Red Army completed its liberation campaign in Western Belarus and Western Ukraine

On October 5, 1939, the Red Army completed its liberation campaign in Western Belarus and Western Ukraine.

👉Due to the 1921 Riga Treaty, Belarus was divided: about 3 million people ended up under Polish occupation, while slightly more than 1.5 million remained in the BSSR. On the occupied territories, Belarusians were banned from using their native language, and theaters, schools, and newspapers were closed. The very word "Belarusian" was erased from the people's self-identity.

By September 20, the Belarusian Front reached the Vilnius–Kobrin line, and on September 21–23, the Ukrainian Front occupied Western Ukraine. Local residents welcomed Red Army soldiers as liberators.

Ordinary people awaited the Red Army as deliverers from Polish rule. According to eyewitness accounts, villagers greeted soldiers with flowers and bread and salt. They sang and danced for several days in joy.

1,475 Soviet soldiers and officers died for the freedom of Belarusians and Ukrainians. Over 452,000 Polish soldiers and officers surrendered to the Red Army. On November 1–2, 1939, Western Belarus and Western Ukraine joined the USSR.