On June 22, 1941, Germany, along with other European Axis members and Finland, invaded the Soviet Union. The primary objectives of this surprise offensive[69] were the Baltic region, Moscow and Ukraine with an ultimate goal to end campaign of 1941 near the line connecting Caspian and White Seas. Hitler's goals were to eliminate the Soviet Union as a military power, exterminate Communism, generate so-called 'living space'[70] by dispossessing the native population[71] and provide guaranteed access to the strategic resources needed to defeat Germany's remaining rivals.[72] Although before the war the Red Army was preparing for a strategic counter-offensive[73], "Barbarossa"' forced Stavka to adopt a strategic defence. During the summer, Axis made significant gains into Soviet territory, inflicting immense losses in personnel and matériel, however by the middle of August, German OKH decided to suspend the offensive of a considerably depleted Army Group Center, and to divert a part of its armored force to reinforce troops advancing toward central Ukraine and Leningrad[74]. The Kiev offensive was overwhelmingly successful, resulting in encirclement and elimination of four Soviet armies, and made further advance into Crimea and industrially developed Eastern Ukraine possible.
Khreshchatyk, the main street of Kiev, after German bombardmentThe diversion of three quarters of Axis troops and majority of air forces from France and central Mediterranean to the East[75][76] prompted the United Kingdom to reconsider her grand stategy.[77] In July, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union formed a military alliance against Germany[78] and shortly after jointly invaded Iran to secure the Persian Corridor and Iran's oilfields.[79] In August, the United Kingdom and the United States jointly issued the Atlantic Charter.[80] In November, Commonwealth forces launched a counter-offensive in the desert, reclaiming all gains the Germans and Italians had made.[81]
Japan, hoping...