The mass deportations initiated by the Soviet Union in February 1940 mark a significant and chilling chapter in the history of Polish-Soviet relations during World War II. Following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, Poland was partitioned, with the eastern regions falling under Soviet control. In a move to solidify their dominance, the Soviet government identified Polish citizens as potential threats, particularly those belonging to the educated or pro-establishment classes. On February 10, 1940, the first of several waves of deportations commenced, targeting around 140,000 individuals in the initial phase, which encompassed a range of social groups. The deportations were characterized by surprise arrests, as families were often given little time to gather their belongings before being sent to labor camps in the harsh climates of Siberia.

The journey itself was treacherous, as deportees faced inadequate food, extreme cold, and overcrowding in transit. Many did not survive the arduous trip or the brutal conditions they later encountered in the camps. The deportations continued throughout 1940 and beyond, driven by the Soviet government’s desire to weaken Polish identity and eliminate opposition to their regime. This systematic removal not only devastated the lives of those deported but also sought to erase Polish presence and influence in the east—an effort that would have lasting ramifications for Polish society and identity.

This period also foreshadowed more extensive repressions that would follow during the war. The human cost was staggering, and while some deportees managed to escape or were eventually released, many others perished in exile. The mass deportations contributed to a broader pattern of Soviet repression across various ethnic groups within its borders, profoundly influencing post-war geopolitics in Eastern Europe, particularly the relationship between Poland and the Soviet Union after World War II.