The ROA Defection
At this crucial moment, a division of the anti-communist Russian Liberation Army (ROA, also known as "Vlasov Army") under the command of General Sergei Bunyachenko turned on the Germans and joined Czech insurgents in the fight against the Waffen-SS. Unlike the Czech forces, these forces were relatively well equipped (including armoured vehicles and artillery) and experienced veterans of the Eastern Front. However, the ROA did not plan to stay in Prague during the entire uprising. Vlasov did not have the full support of the Czech leaders and he was afraid that they would betray him and his soldiers to the approaching Soviets. Thus, the Russian soldiers soon left the city in order to try to reach the American lines.
Read more about this topic: Prague Uprising
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