We are excited to announce Smolensk, the newest map coming to Hell Let Loose in Update 19. This is will be our latest addition to the Eastern Front, taking players to Western Russia along the Dnieper River.
Smolensk was created in direct response to community requests for more urban Eastern Front battlefields. It also happens to be the largest urban map in Hell Let Loose so far, offering a scale and intensity that sets it apart from anything we have released before.
Please note: the Smolensk images shared below are in-engine renders. An upcoming Smolensk dev brief will feature the first in-game screenshots, offering a more accurate look at the map’s gameplay environment.
Smolensk - Hell Let Loose In-Engine Render
Set in 1943, Smolensk captures a pivotal moment in the Suvorov Operation, where Soviet forces launched a major offensive to retake the city from German control. Smolensk had previously fallen in 1941 during the early stages of Operation Barbarossa, the German Forces invasion of the Soviet Union.
The battle depicted in our map took place between 7 August and 2 October 1943
The Battle for Smolensk was a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front. Not only did it mark the beginning of the end for Germany’s plans to occupy the Soviet Union, it was also a critical victory for the Red Army. The city itself was a strategic objective, and its liberation helped split German forces from other battles including the Battle of the Dnieper, weakening their defensive hold across the region.
When designing Smolensk, one of our key goals was to deliver variety in gameplay. The map blends several distinct environments, encouraging players to adapt their tactics as the battle shifts from one area to another.
The northern sector places you in the city’s industrial core, filled with warehouses, train lines, and heavy structures that create opportunities for both close-quarters combat and armoured pushes. Heading further south, you enter the urban heart of Smolensk, where narrow streets and residential blocks set the stage for intense city fighting. Beyond the city, the map opens into rural terrain along the Dnieper River, with accessible bridges upriver allowing forces to cross between the banks.
Together these contrasting environments create a battlefield that is as diverse as it is challenging.
What truly sets Smolensk apart is the way its features reshape how battles unfold. The train tracks and the Dnieper River both cut vertically through the map instead of running across it, creating new lanes of movement and forcing teams to think carefully about positioning and flanking.
At the same time, the introduction of three-storey buildings, fortified walls, and an overpass brings vertical combat into sharper focus. Players will need to look up as often as they look ahead, with enemies able to position themselves in ways not seen before in Hell Let Loose.
At the core of the map lies the city centre of Smolensk. Players can expect a mix of intact and destroyed buildings, warehouses, and industrial areas woven into a network of crossroads. The urban setting offers both wide avenues ideal for vehicle combat and narrow side streets perfect for close-quarters infantry action. Tram tracks running through the city add another layer of atmosphere and tactical consideration.
Smolensk - Hell Let Loose In-Engine Render
The Dnieper River forms a natural barrier running through the southern part of the map. Unlike many rivers in Hell Let Loose, this one can be crossed on foot almost anywhere thanks to its shallow depth. Vehicles are also able to pass through the shallow river as well, whilst bridges and pontoons remain convenient crossing options. Tree lines and remnants of old city walls along the banks create excellent opportunities for ambushes, and the varied elevation around the river adds a vertical dimension to combat.
Cutting across the map are train tracks, complete with a unique station building that will become a focal point of many engagements. The tracks run under road bridges and past warehouses, creating layered combat scenarios where infantry, armour, and artillery all play vital roles. Securing these positions can open up new flanking routes or deny the enemy critical movement options.
You’ll be able to experience Smolensk for yourself when Update 19 arrives in November. Alongside this new map, the update will introduce brand new armoured vehicles: Self-Propelled Artillery (SPAs). We will be sharing more about their role in the battlefield in a future Dev Brief, so make sure to follow our socials to stay up to date.
Smolensk - Hell Let Loose In-Engine Render
Before then, Update 18 will be launching across all platforms in early-October 2025. You can already catch a glimpse of what’s on the way through some of our recent Dev Briefs:
Thank you for reading, and we cannot wait to share more details about everything being included in our next update; the Update 18 Changelog. Stay tuned!
Refreshed Stalingrad Carriage Depot
Refreshed Stalingrad Brewery
We hope you’ve been enjoying all of our recent announcement content for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam including our latest Community Q&A Livestream where the team answered your questions about the upcoming release.
The excitement around this new game is just getting started, and we can’t wait to share more with you soon. Make sure you’re following us across our social channels to be among the first to hear the latest updates straight from the Vietnam team in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned, and thank you for being part of the community.
We’re excited to introduce IronHeart, the newest member of our War Correspondent programme!
Whether you’re looking for action-packed gameplay compilations or in-depth breakdowns of the latest updates, IronHeart Gaming is set to become your new go-to destination for Hell Let Loose content.
"I first jumped into Hell Let Loose in March 2020 and was hooked right away. It’s been my main game ever since. I love the teamwork, the chaos, but most of all I love the satisfying ding of a headshot." - IronHeart
To celebrate, IronHeart is running a DLC giveaway on his channel! Subscribe to his YouTube channel and check out his Community Posts for details on how to enter.
Welcome to the front lines, IronHeart. We’re thrilled to have you with us!
Check out IronHeart Gaming today
If you’re interested in becoming a War Correspondent yourself, head over to the Community page on the Hell Let Loose website to learn more and find out how to apply.
As always, our War Correspondents have been on the battlefields of Europe and North-Africa creating some incredible content. Check out some of their latest releases below:
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