How would it be different?

Signing of the Molotov– Ribbentrop Pactaugust

Known as the Nazi–soviet Pact or the German–soviet Non-aggression Pact, the agreement saw them agree to a fragile form of peace, although it didn’t last for very long. 23 August 1939

The Luftwaffe crush the Soviet air fleet

By the end of the first week of the invasion, the Luftwaffe claimed it shot down over 3,000 Soviet aircraft, as the German war machine advances. Reports suggest only 78 German planes were lost. 29 June 1941

Hitler launches Operation Barbarossa

Despite the Molotov-ribbentrop Pact, Hitler becomes fixated on the idea of destroying the Soviet Union. He believes it weak enough to break with the blitzkrieg tactics that also took France, Norway and many more. Spies loyal to the Soviet regime (including Richard Sorge, based in Japan) send word to Moscow that Hitler is planning to betray them, but Stalin refuses to believe them. Even when Axis forces cross the threshold into Soviet territory, Stalin initially orders artillery not to fire as he believes the invasion may have been greenlit without Hitler’s permission. 22 June 1941

Smolensk falls to the Nazis

The large city of Smolensk, one of the key strategic locations on the road to Moscow, falls as Hitler’s pincer movement crushes any Soviet resistance.

16 July 1941

Large scale atrocities are avoided

Hitler is convinced by his generals that a campaign of cleansing against Bolshevik Jews will turn the Russian people against them. However, a plan to purge the Bolshevik Jews remains until after Moscow falls. July 1941

The Luftwaffe pummels the Soviet ground forces

Along with effectively disabling the Soviet air force, the Luftwaffe provide a two-pronged attack in the centre and the south, with a sustained campaign of aerial bombardment. June-july 1941