The German - Soviet Nonaggression Pact had been signed several days before, on August 23, and the Kremlin walls were adorned with Nazi swastika flags.
Paar päeva varem, 23. augustil, oli kirjutatud alla Saksa - Nõukogude mittekallaletungilepingule ning Kremli müüridel ilutsesid natside haakristilipud.