Challenging the Narrative: Was the Soviet Union Involved in WWII Before 1941?

The narrative surrounding the Soviet Union's entry into World War II is often simplified. Many believe the war for the USSR began on June 22, 1941, but this is a simplification. Historian Irina Lagunina argues that Soviet involvement began earlier, with the 1939 invasion of Poland alongside Nazi Germany. "The Soviet Union was an ally of Hitler at the time," Lagunina states, highlighting the Kremlin's participation in the war before the commonly accepted date. This alliance, and subsequent actions, contradict the narrative that portrays the Soviet Union as solely a victim of Nazi aggression. The term "Great Patriotic War," Lagunina suggests, was a tool to obscure this earlier involvement. This historical revisionism prompts a re-evaluation of the Soviet Union's role in the conflict and challenges the widely accepted narrative.