What name is commonly given to the Soviet offensive against Japan in August 1945?

Operation August Storm is a commonly used name for the Soviet offensive against Japan in August 1945.

The operation began on August 9, when Soviet forces attacked Japanese positions in Manchuria. The campaign is also described more formally as the Soviet invasion of Manchuria or the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation. Soviet armies advanced from several directions and overwhelmed Japan’s Kwantung Army, which had controlled much of Manchuria.

The offensive extended beyond Manchuria. Soviet forces also moved into northern Korea, southern Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands. The campaign continued even after Japan announced its intention to surrender, because communications, local fighting, and differing surrender orders delayed the end of combat in some areas.

Operation August Storm should not be confused with Operation Olympic, the planned American invasion of southern Kyushu, or Operation Downfall, the broader proposed invasion of Japan. Neither invasion took place because Japan surrendered before the planned operations began.