The first Jassy–Kishinev offensive, named after the two major cities in the area, Jassy and Kishinev, was a series of military engagements between 8 April and 6 June 1944 (according to David Glantz) by the Soviet Union and Axis powers.

[7] Glantz claims that the plans of the Stavka envisioned the two Soviet fronts would cut off vital Axis defensive lines in northern Romania, facilitating a subsequent advance by the Red Army into the entire Balkan region.

[13] Glantz claims that starting with early April 1944, Stavka ordered the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts to mount a major offensive with strategic implications in Romania.

[15] By 5 April, Konev's front had crossed the upper reaches of Dniester and Prut rivers, captured Hotin and Dorohoi, and approached the Târgu Frumos and Botoșani regions—30–60 mi (48–97 km) northwest of Iași—facing only light Romanian resistance.

[20] The advance was quite slow due to mud-clogged roads during the rasputitsa (the twice yearly period of water-logged ground), as well as crossing to the west bank of the Prut River northwest of Iași.