The 1st Ukrainian Front was created on October 20, 1943 as the new designation of the existing Voronezh Front. This name change reflected the westward advance of the Red Army in its campaign against the GermanWehrmacht, leaving Russia behind and moving into Ukraine. The front participated or conducted battles in Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and Czechoslovakia during 1944 and 1945.
In 1945 the front participated in the Vistula-Oder offensive, and conducted the Silesian and Prague Operations, and the siege of Breslau. It also participated in the Berlin operations in Germany and Poland. The front also conducted the major part of the Halbe Encirclement, in which most of the German 9th Army was destroyed south of Berlin. It provided the defence against the counter-attacks by Armee Wenck which aimed to relieve Berlin and the 9th Army.
The front was victorious in all of its operations over the opposing forces of the Wehrmacht. The Prague Operation was the final battle of World War II in Europe.
Post-war
Following the war, the Front headquarters formed the Central Group of Forces of the Red Army in Europe, guarding the Iron Curtain.
