The 2nd Belorussian Front opened the offensive with a "reconnaissance in force" on 22 June to determine whether or not the Germans would remain in the first trench line. The 33rd Army was tasked with fixing German forces in order to allow the Front's main effort, 40th Army, to penetrate on the Mogilev Axis. The divisions conducting the recon in force sent out reinforced battalion-sized elements strongly supported by artillery. The reinforced 70th Rifle Division attacked on the north wing of 33rd Army, and following an intense artillery barrage, hit elements of the German 110th Infantry Division.
