The liberation of Riga in 1944 refers to the takeover of the Latvian capital, Riga, by Soviet forces during World War II. The Riga Offensive was conducted as part of the Operation of Liberation of Latvia by the Red Army against Axis forces, primarily Nazi Germany.
The Riga Offensive began on September 14, 1944, and concluded on October 13, 1944, with the city's capture by the Red Army. This marked the end of Nazi occupation of Riga, which had commenced in 1941 during the German invasion of the Soviet Union.
The liberation of Riga was a significant turning point in the war on the Eastern Front, opening the way for Soviet forces to advance westward and ultimately contributing to the defeat of Nazi Germany in Europe. However, it was also followed by a prolonged Soviet occupation in Latvia, lasting until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
