On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany initiated the invasion of Poland, launching the lightning-fast "Barbarossa" plan. This marked the onset of the Second World War, etched into human history as one of the bloodiest conflicts. On June 22, 1941, Hitler's Germany expanded its aggression by invading Poland, which encompassed Azerbaijan, and launched an assault on the USSR. The war concluded on May 9, 1945, as the flag of fascism was lowered from the Reichstag building and the flag of the USSR was raised.

During this war, 660 thousand people from Azerbaijan actively participated. Azerbaijani divisions engaged in combat from the Caucasus to Berlin. Approximately 130 Azerbaijanis were honored with the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, while 30 individuals received the Order of Honor. Moreover, 170,000 compatriots were decorated with various orders and medals of the USSR.

The names of renowned figures such as Twice Hero of the Soviet Union Major General Hazi Aslanov, Heroes of the Soviet Union Israfil Mammadov, Aslan Vazirov, Adil Guliyev, Ziya Bunyadov, Geray Asadov, Huseynbala Aliyev, Gafur Mammadov, Malik Maharramov, Mehdi Huseynzade, Generals Mahmud Abilov, Akim Abbasov, Tarlan Aliyarbeyov, Hajibaba Zeynalov, and many others are inscribed in golden letters in the annals of this war.

Azerbaijani oil played a pivotal role in the outcome of the Second World War. In 1941, Azerbaijan achieved a historic milestone by producing 23.5 million tons of oil, accounting for 71.4% of the total oil output in the USSR. Throughout the war, Azerbaijani oil workers supplied the nation with 75 million tons of oil, alongside 22 million tons of gasoline and other petroleum products.