The Polish victory in the Battle of Warsaw dealt a strategic blow to the Red Army, becoming a turning point in the war and enabling the Polish armed forces to take over the initiative. The final blow was the Battle of the Niemen River fought in September. The main Soviet forces gathered around Grodno. As the troops were exhausted on both sides, it was of key importance who would attack first. On 20 September the 2nd Army commanded by General Rydz-Śmigły launched an attack on the city. The fighting was fierce and the victory did not come at once. The onslaught of the northern group on Sejny tipped the balance in favor of the Poles and enabled them to finally seize the city and cross the Niemen River. Seeing a chance, Piłsudski decided to encircle the Bolshevik troops. Owing to the sacrifice of the soldiers of the 1st Division of the Infantry of the Legions it was possible to stop a significant portion of the retreating Bolshevik troops. Piłsudski ordered a pursuit and the destruction of the enemy army. The Bolsheviks ordered a general retreat. The Battle of the Niemen River ended on 26 September 1920. The Bolshevik threat was ultimately removed.
