The Vilnius offensive (Russian: Вильнюсская наступательная операция) occurred as part of the third phase of Operation Bagration, the strategic summer offensive by the Soviet Red Army against the German Wehrmacht in June and July 1944. It lasted from 5 July to 13 July 1944 and ended with a Soviet victory. During the offensive, Soviet forces encircled and captured the city of Vilnius; this phase is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Vilnius. However, some three thousand German soldiers of the encircled garrison managed to break out, including their commander, Reiner Stahel.