Myths and denial: How the Soviet Union justified its 1939 invasion of Poland

TVP World ^ | 9/17/2025 | Alex Webber

[marcusmaximus]

Eighty-six years ago, Soviet forces crossed into Poland from the east, executing their part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact; as in other campaigns both before and since, the Kremlin would follow a familiar playbook, using propaganda to mask their aggression and frame themselves as liberators.

Having fought gallantly since Germany launched its Blitzkrieg on September 1, 1939, Poland’s hopes of survival crumbled on the morning of September 17 when approximately half a million Soviet troops poured over the border, backed up by almost 5,000 armored vehicles and 2,000 aircraft.

Now fighting a war on two fronts, the country was left scrambling to defend itself in the face of impossible odds—but in truth, its fate had been sealed weeks earlier.

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, signed in Moscow on August 23, 1939, had been presented as a non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, but in reality, it included a secret annex that outlined the carve-up of Poland.

[Nateman]

Polonium, element 84. Marie Curie named it after Poland in 1898 even though Poland had been erased.

[HenpeckedCon]

It was a great deal for Stalin. He increased the territory of the USSR and all of Eastern Europe became communist. All it cost him was millions of lives. He didn’t give a damn about the millions of civilians and soldiers who were killed by the Nazis.

[dfwgator]

He didn’t give a damn about the millions of civilians and soldiers who were killed by the Nazis.

---

Hitler took care of Stalin’s “Jewish Problem” for him.

[mass55th]

"Polonium, element 84. Marie Curie named it after Poland in 1898 even though Poland had been erased."

Thanks for the information. Hadn't heard it before.

[rxh4n1]

Let’s not forget that Ukraine still holds lands stolen by Stalin from Poland, Hungary, and Romania. Maybe they should do the right thing and give them back.