Key battles in WW1/WW2

Kiev

The Battle of Kiev was the largest encirclement in military history after the Germans conducted operation barbarossa through many different areas and territories. And with the tanks quickly moving forward and advancing eastwards like said before, many of the Soviets couldn't hold back on their defences. And they were approaching one of the largest cities in the entire USSR. And it was going to be a bloody battle....

However the start and end of this battle could have ranged far differently but it would end in one side in an overwhelming defeat. Germany was advancing Eastwards at an alarming rate and the mobilisation across the Kherson river was excessively high but at this point the Soviets needed numbers to halt the German troops. However as they were approaching the city centre a gargantuan number of Soviets awaited them at Kiev. Nearly 700,000 men were stationed there...

As the Germans advanced towards Kiev, the Red army began heavy fighting in the heavy Urban areas of Kiev and they put up strong resistance for a long time to also delay the advance towars Moscow just like the battle of Smolensk aswell. But the Germans rapidly moved around them and at the danger of encirclement. Many men had been killed but still 650,000 still remained to fight. But it would only last a short while as the Germans had encircled Kiev and nearly 650,000 men of the Red army had been trapped in the pocket. And after a few days the pocket was liquidated. And the Red army saw some of their largest losses of the entire war. And this would severely weaken the Red army's defence and reputation. Hitler's lightining fast Blitzkrieg maneuver was so destructive that not even the largest army in the entire world could even comprehend the far smaller German army. And this would once again allow the Axis to advance further with limited resistance and fighting. And advance towards Moscow and Leningrad.

What made this battle so significant was that the fact it was the largest encirclement in military history and nearly over 650,000 men were trapped and also taken as POW. What also made this significant was that it allowed the Axis forces to continue advancing eastwards towards Moscow. Because the strength of the Red army was decimated from that point on. And it would take more than a year to recover to the losses and replace them with new ones better equipped and trained.
And would lead to the defence of Moscow and also the Caucasian region.