The introduction of Soviet troops in the Baltic States. Black myth about the "Soviet occupation" of the Baltic States. The beginning of the war in Europe

In chapter

In big politics there is always a plan "A" and the plan "B". It often happens that there is both "in" and "g". In this article we will tell, as in 1939 the plan "B" was also compiled on the entry of the branching republics into the USSR. But the plan "A" worked, which gave the desired result. And about the plan "B" forgotten.

1939 year. Anxious. Prewar. On August 23, 1939, a Soviet-German non-aggression agreement was signed with a secret application. In it, the map shows the zones of the influence of Germany and the USSR. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania entered the Soviet zone. For the USSR, it was necessary to decide with their decisions regarding these countries. As usual, there were several plans. The main meant that the Soviet military bases of the Leningrad Military District and the Baltic Fleet will be placed through political pressure in the Baltic countries, and then local left forces will achieve elections to local parliaments who declare the entry of the Baltic republics into the USSR. But the "b" plan was developed for an unforeseen case. It is more intricate and complicated.

"Pioneer"

The Baltic Sea is rich in all sorts of accidents and disasters. Before the beginning of the fall of 1939, it is possible to mention cases of accidents and death in the Finnish bay of Soviet courts: the hydrographic vessel "Azimuth" 08.28.1938 in the Luzhskiy Lip, the submarine "M-90" 15.10.1938 at Oranienbaum, cargo ship "Chelyuskin" 03/27/1939 At Tallinn. In principle, the situation at sea during this period could be considered calm. But from the middle of the summer, a new, alarming factor appeared - the reports of the captains of the Soviet University of SovietoGFlot (the name of the organization operating civilians of the USSR in the pre-war period) about the alleged mines in the Finnish bay. At the same time, sometimes there were messages that mines are those "English" sample. On the sample of mines, even military sailors when it is detected into the sea, it is not taken to report, and then the report comes from civilian sailors! In the 20s and early 1930s, it was not reported on the appearance of mines in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland. But then the mines of Russian, German or english sample the time of the first world and Civil War In a timely manner, and immediately destroyed, and somehow could not find these. Palm Championship in the fictitious reports held the captain of the "Pioneer" ship Vladimir Mikhailovich Beklemishev.

July 23, 1939 The following happened: at 22.21. Standing in the dosor on the line of Shepelevsky Lighthouse The Typhoon's watchdog received a semaphore and a cloister of the Captain T / X "Pioneer", located in the Finnish Gulf: "In the area of \u200b\u200bthe North Village of the Gopland, two warships such as a linear ship are seen." (Hereinafter, extracts on the "Watchthe magazine of the Operational Duty Staff of the KBF" [RGA NMF. F-R-92. OP-1. D-1005,1006]). At 22.30, the Typhoon commander requests "Pioneer": - "Notify the time and course of the unknown affiliation linear ships" At 22.42. The captain of "Pioneer" repeats the former text, and communication is interrupted. The Typhoon commander handed over this information to the headquarters of the fleet and at his own risk and risk (after all, the team did not have) organizes the search for unknown battleships near Finnish territorial waters and, of course, nothing detects. For which this performance was played, we will understand a little later.

To understand the process and participating in it, we will tell about the captain of the "Pioneer" of Beklemishev Vladimir Mikhailovic. This is the son of the first Russian submariner Mikhail Nikolayevich Beklemishev 1858. Birth, one of the projectors of the first Russian submarine "Dolphin" (1903) and its first commander. Having connected its service with submarines, he resigned in 1910. In the rank of "Major General for Fleet". Then he taught the mine case at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, he worked as a technical consultant in St. Petersburg factories. Remaining after the October Revolution of 1917 is not the cases, he entered the main department of shipbuilding, but was dismissed. Since 1924, it becomes commander of the experiencer's vessel "Mikula", regularly commanded them between repeated arrests, and retires in 1931. In 1933, as the highest china of the Tsari Fleet (General), he was deprived of pensions. The old sailor died of a heart attack in 1936. (E.A. Kovalev "Knights of the Depths", 2005, p. 14, 363). His son Vladimir went at the footsteps of his father and became a sailor, only a merchant fleet. Probably his cooperation with the Soviet special services. In the 30s, the sailors of the merchant fleet were one of the few who were free and regularly attended foreign states, and Soviet intelligence often used the services of trading seafarers.

"Adventures" "Pioneer" did not end on this. On September 28, 1939, about 2 o'clock in the morning, when the ship entered the Narva Bay, his captain imitated the landing of Pioneer on the stones near the Wigrund Island and gave a pre-prepared radiogram "On the attack of the vessel by an unknown submarine." The imitation of the attack served as the last trump card at the USSR talks with Estonia "On measures to ensure the safety of Soviet waters from sabotage actions from foreign submarines hiding in the Baltic waters" (Pravda newspaper, September 30, 1939, No. 133). The submarine is mentioned here not by chance. The fact is that after the German attack on Poland, the Polish submarine ORP "Orzeł" ("Orel") broke into Tallinn and was intermented. On September 18, 1939, the crew of the boat tied the Estonian watch and "Orzeł" in full swing headed for the exit from the harbor and escaped from Tallinn. Since two Estonian security officers, Estonian and German newspapers accused the Polish crew in the boat on the boat. However, the Poles landed clocks near Sweden, gave them food, water and money to return to their homeland, after which they went to England. The story then got a wide resonance and became a clear reason for the scenario of the "Torpedal attack" on the "Pioneer". The fact that the attack on the ship was not real and the "pioneer" was not injured, one can judge further events. In advance, waiting for the "SOS" signal a powerful rescue tug "Signal" immediately came to the "Pioneer", and the rescuer - the diving ship - the "Trefolov" database on September 29, 1939 at 03.43 came out of the harbor on the task and became on the Big Kronstadt raid. Allegedly removed from the stones, the ship led to the Neva's lip. At 10.27 September 30, 1939, the "Signal" and "Pioneer" became on the eastern Kronstadt raid anchor. But someone had little. Another 06.15, the towed "pioneer" again "detects" (!) Floating mine in the area of \u200b\u200bShepelevsky Lighthouse, which is reported by a sentry traveler T 202 "Bui". It is given orders to the operational duty guard of the water area (ORV) to warn all ships on the floating mine in the area of \u200b\u200bShepelevsky Lighthouse. At 09.50, the operational duty officer of the OSR reports to the headquarters of the fleet, which sent for the search for Myster the boat "Sea Hunter" returned, mines were not found. On October 2, 1939, in 20.18, the "Pioneer" transport began towing from the Eastern raid to Oranienbaum. If the "pioneer" really hurriedly jumped into one of the stone cans near the Rocky Island of Wigrund, he would have to get damage, at least one or two sheets of the underwater part of the case. On the ship was only one big hold, and he would immediately be filled with water, as a result, the ship would get serious damage. Only good weather, headlamp and water pumping forces could be saved. Since nothing like this happened, it is clear that the ship did not sit on the stones. Since the ship was not even introduced for an inspection in any of the Kronstadt or Leningrad docks, it can be concluded that he was only in the "TASS report". In the future, according to the scenario, the Pioneer ship was not required, and he worked safely at the Baltic for some time, and in 1940, the Pioneer was transferred to the crew from Baku and sent a crew (from the eye by a share) along the Volga to Caspian. After the war, the ship was in operation of the Caspian shipping company until July 1966

Metalist

Pravda newspaper for № 132 of September 28, 1939 published a message TASS: "On September 27, at about 6 pm, the Soviet steamer" Metalist "was torpedoed by an unknown submarine in the Narva Gulf area, with displacement of up to 4,000 tons. From the team of the steamer in the number of 24 people, 19 people were chosen by the resort Soviet courts, the remaining 5 people were not found. " "Metalist" was not a shopping ship. He was the so-called "coalcher" - an auxiliary ship of the Baltic Fleet, military transport, carried the flag of the Assistant Ships of the Navy. Metalist, mainly, was fixed behind the two Baltic linkers "Marat" and the "October Revolution" and, before the translating of both battleships on liquid fuel, supplied them with coal during hikes and maneuvers. Although he had other tasks. For example, in June 1935, Metalist ensured the coal with the coal, the transition of the Plawmaster "Red Horn" from the Baltic Fleet to the North. By the end of the 30s, Metalist, built in 1903 in England, was outdated and did not imagine much value. They decided to sacrifice. In September 1939, Metalist stood in the Leningrad trading port in anticipation of coal to ensure the actions of the Baltic Fleet. It should be remembered that it was a period when for foreign policy reasons, the fleet was given a state of high readiness. On September 23, the ship was just put under the loading vessel received the order of the operational duty on the headquarters of the fleet: "Metalist's transport" from Leningrad is expelled. " Then a few days passed in confusion. The ship was driving waiting for something out of Oranienbaum in Kronstadt and back.

To describe further events, you need to make a slight retreat. In this description there are two layers: the first is the actual events recorded in the documents, the second - memories former employee Finnish intelligence issued his memoirs after the war in Switzerland. Let's try to combine two layers. The officer of Finnish intelligence Jukka L. Mäkkela, escaped from the Soviet special services, was forced after the release of Finland from the war in 1944. go abroad. There he published his memories "Im rücken des Feindes-der Finnische Nachrichtendienst in Krieg", they were published on german language In Switzerland (Verlag Huber & Co. Frauenfeld Publisher). In them, among other things, J. L. Mäkkela recalled the captured in the fall of 1941 by Finns in the Bjerkezund district of the captain of the 2nd rank of Arsenyev, allegedly in the past - commander of the Svir training ship. (Not to be confused with Gregory Nikolayevich Arsenyev - Virio of the commander of the island naval base on the island of Lavensaari, who died on May 18, 1945). The twentieth showed that in the fall of 1939, he was summoned to a meeting, where he and another officer was tasked with the mammary in the Narvian bay by an unknown submarine Metalist transport. "Unknown" appointed a submarine Sh-303 "Yersh", who was preparing for repair, which had a co-commission. The "Metalist" transport team "will save" wagon ships published. The remaining clarifications will be communicated before exit. Sounds fantastic, isn't it? Now consider what happened in the Narva Gulf. According to the established practice on the Baltic Fleet "Metalist" played the role of "enemy" and denoted battleships and aircraft carriers. So it was and that time. Under the terms of the exercises, Metalist stood in set point anchor. The place it was in the Narva Gulf, within sight of the Estonian coast. It was an important factor. At 16.00 in Moscow time there were three guard ship shipping "bad weather" - "Vorki", "Snow" and "Cloud". One of them approached the transport, a team sounded from his undercarriage bridge: - "on the" Metalist "to put steam. Team get ready to leave the ship. " Throwing everything, people fled to the slop of the boats. Started at 16.28 to the board of Storozhevik shot. "Saved", except Arsenyev, caused by the bridge, were placed in a kubrick with angry bronologies. At the entrance got a daily, forbidden to go out and have contacts with reddiffs. Waited for a loud explosion, but it did not follow

In 16.45 Metalist, the aircraft "MBR-2" reappear again, who were reported: "There are no commands. At the side of the boat flooded. On the deck of a mess. " Estonian observers this deployment of airplanes were not recorded, there was no reported and the fact that from 19.05 to 19.14 "Snow" again became on the mooring to Metalist. [RGA Navy. F.R-172. OP-1. D-992. L-31.]. At about 20.00, "TASS message appeared about Metalist Saccination. Since Estonian observers (remind, Metalist was anchored in the visibility of the Estonian shore) the explosion did not fix the same, then two options can be assumed:

The vessel was not flooded. For some reason, the torpedo volley from the submarine did not follow. Not far from this place was the construction of a new naval base "Brooks" (Kronstadt-2). Closed zone, outsiders no people. For a while, Metalist could be there.

In his book "On the distant approaches" (published in 1971). Lieutenant-General S. I. Kabanov (from May to October 1939, who was the head of the rear of the CBF, and to whom, as not to him, was to know about the subordinate rear courts), wrote: The fact that in 1941 the Metalist transport was brought Cargoes for Hanko garrison and was damaged by artillery enemy fire. In the 70s of the 20th century S. S. Berezhnaya and connected to him, Nig GSH Navy, worked on the preparation of the directories "Ships and subsidiary vessels of the Soviet Navy 1917-1928" (Moscow, 1981). They did not find in the archives of Leningrad, Gatchina and Moscow, any other information about the "Metalist" and came to the conclusion that this transport was left at Hanko on December 2, 1941 in a poverty state.

The option that Metalist was still flooded - unlikely. The explosion did not hear either sailors from watchmaking ships, and Estonian observers were seen on the shore. The version that the steamer was flooded without the help of explosives, unlikely.

"Marine Collection", No. 7 of 1991, publishing a heading "From the Chronicles of Martal Action Navy for July 1941", stated: "On July 26, at Hanko Arthogne Skill TP" Metalist "."

The fact is also the radio transmitted on the radio at 23.30. It was the message of the SNOK SNOD commander to the headquarters of the KBF headquarters: "The place of death of the Metalist transport: latitude - 59 ° 34 ', longitude - 27 ° 21' [RGA. F.R-92. Op-2. D-505. L-137.]

Another small nuance. Of course, he doesn't directly say anything, but still. On the same day, when "Metalist" was "blown" in 12.03 from Kronstadt in The Gulf of Finland A boat boat type "Yamb" (yacht sea high-speed) with the Commissar of the Navy and the Commander of the KBF. [RGA NMF.F.Р-92. Op-2. D-505. L-135.]. For what? To personally control the course of the operation?

Conclusion

Everything about what is told in this article is perceived as fantasy. But there are documents from the archive. They do not disclose political intent, they reflect the movement of ships. The magazines of operational duty on the fleet reflect all the events that occurred in the area of \u200b\u200bresponsibility and movement of ships and ships in it. And here are these movements imposed on political processes (reflected in the official times - the TRADE "newspaper) and make it possible to draw conclusions. Our story has many unexpected turns and many secrets ...

The attachment of the Baltic States (Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia) to the USSR occurred in early August 1940 after appeal to the Supreme Council of the USSR of National Seimas. Baltic question is always acute in Russian historiography, and in last years There are a lot of myths and speculations around the events of 1939-1940. Therefore, it is important to deal with the events of those years using the facts and documents.

Brief background question

For more than a century, the Baltic States were part of the Russian Empire, with the preservation of its national identity. October Revolution He led to the split of the country, and as a result - several small states appeared on the political map of Europe, among them Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Their legal status has been fixed international agreements and two agreements with the USSR, which at the time of 1939 still had legal force:

• About the world (August 1920).
• About the peaceful solution to any questions (February 1932).

The events of those years have become possible due to the agreement between Germany and the USSR on non-fire (August 23, 1939). This document had a secret agreement, distinguishing the spheres of influence. The Soviet side got Finland, Baltic. These territories were needed by Moscow, since they were even recently partly part of a single country, but much more importantly, they allowed to push the country's border, providing an additional border of defense and defense of Leningrad.

The attachment of the Baltic States can be divided into 3 stages:

1. Signing Covenants on Mutual Assistance (September-October 1939).
2. Establishment in the Baltic States of Socialist Governments (July 1940).
3. The appeal of national seamas with a request to take them among the Union republics (August 1940).

Caps of mutual assistance

On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and war began. The main events took place in Poland, which is not far from the Baltic States. Concerned about the possible attack of the Third Reich, the Baltic countries were in a hurry to enlist the support of the USSR in case of the invasion of Germany. These documents were approved in 1939:

• Estonia - September 29.
• Latvia - October 5th.
• Lithuania - October 10.

It should be especially noted that the Republic of Lithuania did not just receive guarantees of military assistance, according to which the USSR undertakes to defend its borders of his army, but also received the city of Vilna and Vilna region. These were territories with a predominantly Lithuanian population. This gesture, the Soviet Union demonstrated the desire to achieve agreements on mutually beneficial terms. As a result, the pacts were signed, which were called "On mutual aid". Their main points:

1. The parties guarantee mutual military, economic and other assistance, subject to the invasion of the territory of one of the "Great European Power" countries.
2. The USSR guaranteed each country to supply weapons and techniques on preferential grounds.
3. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia allowed the USSR to form military bases on the Western borders.
4. Countries undertake not to sign diplomatic documents and not enter into coalitions against the second country of agreements.

The last item played end up with a decisive role in the events of 1940, but about everything in order. The main thing is that you need to know about the packages - the Baltic countries voluntarily and consciously allowed naval bases and airfields on their territory on their territory.

The USSR paid the rental of territories under military bases, and the governments of the Baltic countries were obliged to refer to the Soviet Army as an ally.

Baltic Anntha

The aggravation of relations began in April-May 1940. Reason 2:

• The active work of the Baltic Entente (Military Union between Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) against the USSR.
• Increased abduction cases soviet soldiers in Lithuania.

Initially, there was a defensive alliance between Latvia and Estonia, but after November 1939, Lithuania was intensified in the negotiations. Pergolas were in secret, although none of the countries had the right to negotiate such negotiations without notice of the USSR. Soon the Baltic Entente was formed. The active actions of the Union began in January-February 1940, when the headquarters of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian army strengthened the relationship. At the same time, the publication of the newspaper "Review Baltic" began. It is noteworthy in what languages \u200b\u200bit has been published: German, English and French.

Since April 1940, the Soviet soldiers of the Lithuanian military base periodically began to disappear. On May 25, Molotov sent the Ambassador of Lithuania Natkevichius a statement, which stressed the fact of the recent disappearance of two soldiers (nosov and shmavagonets) and announced the existing facts pointing to the involvement of some individuals who enjoy the patronage of the Lithuanian government. This was followed by "unsubsions" on 26 and 28, in which the Lithuanian side interpreted the abduction of soldiers as "unauthorized leaving of the part." The most flagrant case occurred in early June. The junior commander of the Red Army Boutaev was abducted in Lithuania. The Soviet side again at the diplomatic level demanded the return of the officer. After 2 days, Butayev was killed. The official version of the Lithuanian side - the officer fled from the part, the Lithuanian police tried to detain him and transfer the Soviet side, but Butayev committed suicide, shot in his head. Later, when the officer's body was transferred to the Soviet side, it turned out that Butayev was killed by a shot in the heart, and on the entrance bullet hole there are no traces of a burn, which speaks about a shot from the middle or long-distance distance. In this way soviet side I interpreted the death of Butayev as murder, to which the Lithuanian police involved. Lithuania itself refused to investigate this incident, referring to the fact that it is suicide.

The reaction of the USSR on the abduction and murder of their soldiers, as well as to create a military unit against the Union, did not have to wait long. The USSR sent the relevant statements by the Government of each country:

• Lithuania - June 14, 1940.
• Latvia - June 16, 1940.
• Estonia - June 16, 1940.

Each country received a document with accusations, first of all, in creating a military coalition against the USSR. Separately emphasized that all this happened in secret and with violation of allied arrangements. A more detailed statement was the statement to the Lithuanian government, which is accused of aiding and direct involvement in the abduction and murder of conscience soldiers and officers. The main requirement of Moscow is the current management of countries that admitted such tensions in relations must be resigned. In their place there should be a new government, which will work, taking into account the packages between the Baltic countries and the USSR, as well as in the spirit of strengthening good-neighborly relations. In connection with the provocations and a complex global situation, the USSR demanded that the possibility of additional introduction of troops in big cities To ensure order. In many ways, the last requirement was associated with the frequent reports that everything appears in the Baltic countries more peoplespeaking German. The Soviet leadership feared that countries could fall on the side of the Third Reich, or Germany could further use these territories to move to the East.

The requirements of the USSR were checally completed. New elections were appointed for mid-July 1940. Socialist parties defeated and formed socialist governments in the Baltic States. The first steps of these governments are mass nationalization.

It is important to note that speculation on the subject of planting socialism in the Baltic States from the USSR is deprived historical facts. Yes, the USSR demanded to change the composition of the government to ensure friendly relations between the countries, but after that the free elections recognized internationally followed.

The inclusion of the Baltic States in the Union

Events developed rapidly. Already at 7 Congress of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, representatives of the Baltic countries appealed to accept them to the Soviet Union. Similar statements made:

• On the part of Lithuania - Palekis (Chairman of the Delegation of the People's Seimas) - August 3.
• From Latvia - Kirchienstein (head of the People's Seimas Commission) - August 5th.
• From Estonia - Lauristin (head of the delegation of the State Duma) - August 6

Of particular benefits of these events removed Lithuania. It has already been noted that the Soviet side voluntarily passed the city in wine with surrounding territories, and after the inclusion, Lithuania further received the territory of Belarus, where the Lithuanians predominantly lived.

Thus, Lithuania entered the USSR on August 3, 1940, Latvia - August 5, 1940, and Estonia - August 6, 1940. That is how the attachment of the Baltic States to the USSR took place.

Was the occupation

Today, the topic is often rising that the USSR occupied the territory of the Baltic States during World War II, demonstrating its hostility and imperial ambitions against the "small" peoples. Was there an occupation? Of course not. There are several facts that they say about it:

1. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia voluntarily entered the USSR in 1940. The decision was taken by legitimate governments of these countries. For several months, all residents of these regions received Soviet citizenship. Everything that happened was in the spirit of international law.
2. The issue of the issue of occupation is devoid of logic. After all, could the USSR could occupy and invade the Baltic States in 1941, if the land for which they allegedly invaded, were already part of the Unified Union? The assumption itself is absurd. Well, it is interesting that such a statement of the issue pursues to another question - if the USSR occupied the Baltic States in 1941, during the Great Patriotic War, then all 3 Baltic countries were either fought for Germany or supported it?

Complete this question follows that in the middle of the last century went big game For the fate of Europe and the world. The expansion of the USSR, including at the expense of Baltic countries, Finland and Bessarabia, was an element of the game, but the unwillingness of the Soviet society. This is evidenced by the decision of the SND from 24.12, 1989 No. 979-1, which states that the non-aggression pact with Germany was personally initiated by Stalin and did not correspond to the interests of the USSR.

At the beginning of the twenties XX century as a result of the collapse of the former Russian Empire Baltic states found sovereignty. The next few decades, the territory of Latvia countries, Lithuania and Estonia became a place political struggle dominant european countries: Great Britain, France, Germany and the USSR.

When Latvia entered the USSR

It is known that on August 23, 1939, an aggression agreement was signed between the heads of states of the USSR and Germany. The secret protocol of this document was discussed on the separation of areas of influence in Eastern Europe.

According to the agreement, the Soviet Union claimed to the territory Baltic countries. This was made possible by territorial changes in the state border, since part of Belarus joined the USSR.

The inclusion of the Baltic states in the USSR is considered as an important political task. For its positive solution, a whole range of diplomatic and military events was organized.

Officially, any accusations in Soviet - German collusion were refuted by the diplomatic parties of both countries.

Pacts about mutual assistance and a friendship agreement and border

In the Baltic countries, the situation was glowed and was extremely disturbing: rumors about the prepared section of the territories owned by Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, and there were no official information from government officials. But the Military Movement did not remain unnoticed for local residentsAnd made additional anxiety.

In the government of the Baltic states, there was a split: some were ready to sacrifice the authorities for Germany, to accept this country as friendly, others expressed an opinion on the continuation of relations from the USSR with the condition for the preservation of the sovereignty of their people, the third - hoped to join Soviet Union.

Event Development Sequence:

• 09/28/1939 Signed the Covenant on Mutual Assistance between Estonia and the USSR. The agreement stipulated the emergence of Soviet military bases in the territory of the Baltic country with the placement of soldiers on them.
• At the same time, an agreement was signed between the USSR and Germany "On Friendship and Border". The secret protocol has changed the conditions for the separation of spheres of influence: Lithuania has passed under the influence of the USSR, Germany "got" part of Polish lands.
• 10/02/1939 - the beginning of the dialogue with Latvia. The main required requirement: entering the sea through several convenient seaports.
• 05.10.1939 Agreement on mutual assistance for one decade has been reached, it also envisaged the input soviet troops.
• On the same day, Finland received the proposal of the Soviet Union on the consideration of such a contract. After 6 days, the dialogue began, but it was not possible to compromise, it was not possible from Finland. This became a checked reason to lead to the Soviet - Finnish War.
• 10.10.1939 Signed an agreement between the USSR and Lithuania (for a period of 15 years with the obligatory commissioning of the twenty thousand troops of the soldier).

After the conclusion of agreements with the Baltic countries soviet government It became possible to make requirements for the activities of the Union of Baltic countries, to insist on the dissolution of the political coalition as having an anti-Soviet orientation.

In accordance with the contract concluded between countries, Latvia pledged to provide the possibility of posting on its territory of Soviet soldiers in an amount comparable to the number of his army, which amounted to 25 thousand people.

Ultimatum of the summer of 1940 and the shift of the Baltic governments

In the first years of 1940, the Government of Moscow receives proven information about the desire of the Baltic heads of states to "surrender to Germany", to enter into collusion and, having won a convenient moment, defeat the military bases of the USSR.

The next day, under the guise of exercises, all the armies were raised on the alarm and relocated to the borders of the Baltic countries.

In mid-June 1940, the Soviet government nominated an ultimatum of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. The main meaning of the documents was similar: the current government was accused of a rough violation of bilateral agreements, the requirement to make changes to the personnel composition of managers, as well as introduce additional troops. Conditions were accepted.

Entry of the Baltic states in the USSR

Selected governments of the Baltic countries allowed demonstrations, the activities of the Communist Parties, freed most political prisoners, identified the date of extraordinary elections.

Elections took place on July 14, 1940. In the electoral lists admitted to the elections, only the prommunist unions were labor people. According to historians, the voting procedure has passed with serious violations, noted with falsification.

A week later, the newly elected parliaments adopted the Declaration on entering the USSR. From the third of the sixth of August of the same year, in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Council of the Republic, the Soviet Union were adopted.

Effects

The moment of joining the Baltic countries to the Soviet Union was marked by the beginning of the economic restructuring: the rise in prices due to the transition from one currency to another, nationalization, collectivization of the republics. But one of the most terrible tragedies affecting the Baltic States is the time of repression.

The persecution covered the intelligentsia, clergy, wealthy peasants, former politicians. Before the beginning Patriotic War From the republic expesed the unreliable population, most of which died.

Conclusion

Before the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, relations between the USSR and the republics of the Baltic States were ambiguous. Anxiety added punitive measures, exacerbating a complex setting.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have gained independence after the 1917 revolution in Russia. But Soviet Russia And later the USSR never left attempts to regain these territories. And under the secret protocol to the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, in which these republics were attributed to the Soviet sphere of influence, the USSR received a chance to achieve this than he did not fail to take advantage. September 28, 1939 was concluded by the Soviet-Estonian pact of mutual assistance. The 25-thousand Soviet Military Contingent was introduced into Estonia. Stalin told Selré at his departure from Moscow: "You could work with you, as with Poland. Poland was a great power. Where is Poland now? "

October 2, 1939, the Soviet-Latvian negotiations began. From Latvia the USSR demanded access to the sea - through Liepay and Ventspils. As a result, on October 5, a mutual assistance agreement was signed for a period of 10 years, which provided for the commissioning of 25-thousand contingent of Soviet troops to Latvia. And on October 10, the "Treaty on the transfer of the Republic of Lithuania and the city of Vilna and Vilensk region and on mutual assistance between the Soviet Union and Lithuania was signed with Lithuania.

On June 14, 1940, the Soviet government presented an ultimatum Lithuania, and on June 16 - Latvia and Estonia. In the main features, the meaning of ultimatumov coincided - the governments of these states were accused of a gross violation of the conditions of mutual assistance previously concluded with the USSR, and the requirement to form governments could ensure the fulfillment of these treaties, and to admit additional contingents of troops to the territory of these countries. Conditions were accepted.

Riga. Soviet army enters Latvia.

On June 15, additional contingents of the Soviet troops were introduced into Lithuania, and on June 17 - to Estonia and Latvia.
Lithuanian President A. SMETON insisted on the organization of resistance to the Soviet troops, however, having received the refusal of most of the government, fled to Germany, and his Latvian and Estonian colleagues - K. Ulmanis and K. Pyatos - went to cooperate with the new government (both soon repressed) Like Lithuanian Premier A. Merkis. In all three countries, friendly USSR were formed, but not communist governments at the chapter, respectively, with Y. Palekis (Lithuania), I. Varezom (Estonia) and A. Kirchinstein (Latvia).
The Commissioner of the USSR, Andrei Zhdanov (in Estonia), Andrei Vyshinsky (in Latvia) and Vladimir Deanozov (in Latvia) followed the process of the association of the Baltic countries.

New governments removed bans on the activities of the Communist Parties and the holding of demonstrations and appointed extraordinary parliamentary elections. In the elections held on July 14 in all three states, the victory was preceded by procrimonistic blocks (alliances) of the labor nation - the only electoral lists admitted to the elections. According to official data, the appearance of 84.1% in Estonia, at the same time 92.8% of the votes were given for the Union of the Ministry of Labor, in Lithuania, it was 95.51% in Lithuania, of which 99.19% voted for the Union of Labor People, in Latvia The turnout was 94.8%, 97.8% of votes were given for the block of the labor nation.

The newly elected parliaments have already proclaimed the creation of the Estonian SSR, the Latvian SSR and the Lithuanian SSR and adopted the declarations about entering the USSR. On August 3-6, 1940, in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, these republics were taken to the Soviet Union.

The delegation of the Estonian State Duma returns from Moscow with joyful news about the admission of the republic in the USSR, August 1940.

Vares accept comrades: in the form - the chief political officer of defense forces, caedro.

August 1940, delegation of the newly elected Estonian State Duma in the Kremlin: Luus, Lauristin, Vares.

On the roof of the hotel Moscow, the Prime Minister of the Government, formed after the Soviet Ultimatum of June 1940, Vares and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Andersen.

Delegation at the Tallinn Station: Tikhonov, Luristin, Keedro, Vares, Sarah and Rui.

Telman, Chet Lauristin and Rui.

Workers of Estonia on demonstration with the requirements for accession to the USSR.

Welcoming Soviet ships in Riga.

Sejm Latvia welcomes demonstrators.

Soldiers on demonstrations dedicated to the Soviet Annexation of Latvia

Rally in Tallinn.

Welcoming delegates Estonian Duma in Tallinn after annexation of Estonia by the Soviet Union.

On June 14, 1941, the internal affairs bodies of the USSR, with the support of the Red Army and Communist activists, deported 15,424 people from Latvia. 10 161 people were resettled, and 5263 were arrested. 46.5% of deported were women, 15% - children under 10 years old. The total number of dead deportation victims amounted to 4884 people (34% of total), of which 341 people were shot.

Employees of the NKVD Estonia: in the center - Kimm, on the left - Jacobson, right - Ris.

One of the transport documents of the NKVD on deportation of 1941, for 200 people.

The memorial plaque on the building of the Estonian government is to the highest persons of the Estonian state in the occupation.

On August 1, 1940, Vyacheslav Molotov (People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs of the USSR) at the next session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR made a speech that the working people of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia happily perceived the news about the entry of their republics in the Soviet Union ...

Under what circumstances did the Baltic countries actually happen? Russian historians argue that the accession process occurred on a voluntary basis, the final design of which occurred in 1940 in the summer (based on the agreement supreme Organs These countries who received the great support of voters in the elections).
Some Russian researchers are supported by this point of view, although they do not quite agree that the entry was voluntary.


Modern political scientists, historians, researchers of foreign states describe those events such as occupation and annexation of independent states by the Soviet Union, that the whole process proceeded gradually and as a result of several correct military-diplomatic, economic steps, the Soviet Union managed to accomplish his intended. The impending Second World War contributed to this process.
Concerning modern politiciansThey talk about incorporation (softer joining process). Scientists who deny occupation and pay attention to the absence of hostilities between the USSR and the Baltic States. But in contrast to these words, other historians point out the facts according to which for the occupation, it is not always necessary to carry out military actions and compare this seizure with the policy of Germany, which seized Czechoslovakia in 1939, and in 1940 - Denmark.

Historians also indicate documentary evidence of the presence of violations of democratic standards during the period of parliamentary elections, which took place at the same time in all the Baltic states in the presence large number Soviet soldiers. In the elections, citizens of these countries could only be voted for candidates from the "Block of the Labor People", and other lists were rejected. Even the Baltic sources agree that the elections were carried out with violations and absolutely not reflect the opinion of the people.
Historian I. Feldmanis cites such a fact - the Soviet news agency TASS gave information about the election results 12 hours before the commencement of the counting of votes. He also supports his words by the opinion of Dietrich A. Leber (lawyer, a former soldier of the sabotage battalion "Branderurg 800"), that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were illegally annexed, from which it can be concluded that the decision of the issue with the elections in These countries were predetermined in advance.


According to another version, during the Second World War in conditions emergencyWhen France, Poland was defeated, the USSR, in order to prevent the transition of the Baltic countries to German ownership put forward the political demands of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, which meant the change of power in these countries and are also annexation in essence. There is also the opinion that Stalin despite the hostilities was going to attach the Baltic countries to the USSR, the military actions simply made this process faster.
In the historical and legal literature, you can find the opinions of the authors that the basic treaties between the Baltic countries and the USSR do not have the strength (we will transmit international norms), since they were imposed by force. Before the beginning of the Second World War, not every annexation was considered invalid and controversial.