In the days prior to the bombing, Germany had launched Operation Barbarossa, the massive invasion of the Soviet Union. Hungary held no territorial claims against the Soviet Union and attempted to hold on to an ideal “armed neutrality”. Regardless, Hitler did not deem Hungarian support as necessary to proceed. After all, Hungary was not in a geographic position to strike quickly against the Soviets, unlike Finland and Romania, both of which fell into the German plan. However, following the commencement of the invasion, Army Group South suffered damaging setbacks in its campaign and made slow progress.