The Battles of Rzhev (Russian: Ржевская битва), also known by veterans and historians as the "Rzhev meat-grinder" or "slaughterhouse" ("Ржевская мясорубка") due to horrific losses suffered by the Red Army, were a series of Soviet operations in World War II between January 8, 1942 and March 31, 1943. The operations took place in the general area of Rzhev, Sychyovka and Vyazma against German forces.