Key Events: Austria-Hungary & Russia in World War I (1914–1918)

The Eastern Front of WWI was a colossal clash between the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires—millions mobilized, borders shattered, revolutions ignited.

1914: The Spark & Opening Moves

• Jul 28: A-H declares war on Serbia (after Sarajevo assassination).
• Jul 30: Russia orders general mobilization (supporting Serbia).
• Aug 1: Germany declares war on Russia (Schlieffen Plan).
• Aug 6: A-H declares war on Russia.
• Aug 23–Sep 11: Battle of Galicia (Lemberg) – Russian victory; A-H loses 400k men, retreats to Carpathians. Conrad von Hötzendorf's offensive collapses.
• Nov–Dec: Battle of Łódź – German/A-H vs. Russian; inconclusive, heavy losses.

1915: Gorlice–Tarnów & The Great Retreat

• May 2: Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive (German-led, A-H support) – breakthrough, Russian lines shattered.
• May 23: Italy declares war on A-H (new front: Isonzo).
• Jun–Sep: Great Retreat – Russia abandons Poland, Lithuania, Galicia; shortens front but loses territory/industry.
• Jun 18: Russian Galicia offensive fails (Brusilov preview).

1916: Brusilov Offensive – Russia's Last Triumph

• Jun 4–Sep 20: Brusilov Offensive (SW Front, Gen. Brusilov) – innovative infiltration tactics. A-H loses 1.5M men (killed/wounded/prisoners), territory. Germany bails out A-H.
• Romania enters war (Aug) – crushed by Central Powers by Dec.

1917: Revolution & Collapse

• Mar 8 (Feb 23 OS): February Revolution – Petrograd strikes → Tsar Nicholas II abdicates. Provisional Government continues war.
• Jul: Kerensky Offensive fails; Russian army disintegrates (desertion, fraternization).
• Nov 7 (Oct 25 OS): Bolshevik Revolution – Lenin seizes power. Decree on Peace.

1918: Exit & Armistice

• Mar 3: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk – Russia cedes Ukraine, Belarus, Baltics, Poland, Finland to Central Powers. A-H gains little (Germany dominates).
• Oct–Nov: A-H dissolves: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Hungary declare independence.
• Oct 31: A-H signs Armistice of Villa Giusti (effective Nov 3).
• Nov 11: Armistice of Compiègne – Germany surrenders; WWI ends.

Aftermath

• A-H: Vanished. Successor states: Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania (gains), Italy (gains), Poland (gains).
• Russia: Civil War (1917–22) → USSR. Lost western territories (regained most by 1940).
• Casualties: A-H ~1.5M dead, ~3.5M wounded. Russia ~1.8M dead, ~5M wounded, ~2.5M POWs.

The Eastern Front destroyed two empires, birthed the Soviet Union, and redrew the map of Europe—setting the stage for WWII.