The siege of Leningrad began when German forces surrounded the city, effectively cutting off all supply lines. The intent was to capture the strategically important city, which was a significant military and cultural center for the Soviet Union. Leningrad, known for its population and industrial capabilities, was crucial for the Soviet war effort. Following the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941 under Operation Barbarossa, Leningrad was targeted to decrease Soviet morale and strength.

The German Army Group North launched a concerted assault aimed at encircling the city. By September 1941, the strategic objective was achieved, and Leningrad was besieged. Soldiers and civilians alike faced extreme hardship, as the German forces employed starvation and aerial bombardment to break the city's defenses. The Soviet Union's effort to maintain supply routes showed tremendous resilience, as numerous accounts depict citizens finding creative means to survive amid resources dwindling to dangerously low levels.

In response to the siege, Soviet military leaders organized a series of counteroffensives. Despite being poorly equipped and under-resourced, the defenders of Leningrad managed to hold out for a length of time, resulting in significant losses for the German army. The siege ultimately lasted for nearly 900 days, during which hundreds of thousands of civilians suffered and many perished due to starvation and combat-related actions. Over the course of the siege, both sides undertook massive military operations that would come to define the Eastern Front of World War II.