The Polish Soviet War was a conflict between the Soviet Russia and Poland from 1919-1920. This article covers the period of the war that took place in 1919. Following the withdrawal of Germany from Eastern Europe at the end of World War I, conflict began between German-created governments and newly formed local governments. Belarus remained divided with multiple power struggles preventing any central government from holding power. Ukraine especially faced internal strife, with anarchists, communists, White Russians, and Polish soldiers all fighting each other. On November 18, 1918 Vladimir Lenin issued operation Target Vistula to incorporate former Russian territories to the west and support communist movements.