In the summer of 1920, the Polish-Soviet War was intensifying as both Poland and Soviet Russia sought to establish their dominance in Eastern Europe. The conflict arose from the power vacuum left in the aftermath of World War I, and the emergence of new national borders and intentions. Józef Piłsudski, the Polish leader, aimed to expand Poland's eastern boundaries and promote independence movements in the region, including Ukraine. Polish troops, commanded by Piłsudski and General Edward Rydz-Śmigły, launched an offensive to capture Kyiv as a critical step in furthering these goals.

The operation was also bolstered by the participation of Ukrainian forces, who aspired to assert their independence from Soviet control. The capture of Kyiv on July 5, 1920, was a significant military achievement for Poland as it symbolized both a territorial gain and a rallying point for anti-Bolshevik sentiments in the region. However, the success was short-lived, as the Red Army initiated a counter-offensive that forced the Poles to withdraw within a month. The Battle of Kyiv showcased the ebb and flow of military fortunes that characterized the Polish-Soviet War.

Following the Polish withdrawal, the Red Army's recapture of Kyiv had critical implications for the broader conflict and for the struggle between nationalist and communist ideologies in Eastern Europe. The recapture of the city not only bolstered Soviet positions in the area but also modified the strategic landscape for future engagements in the war, which would culminate in the Treaty of Riga in 1921. This treaty would ultimately delineate the borders of Poland, the Soviet Union, and Ukraine, shaping the geopolitical contour of Eastern Europe for decades to come.