July 1943

Eastern Front

The 11th Guards and 11th Armies, with the support of the 4th Tank Army, are only 12 miles from Khotinets and Karachev but still face stubborn resistance from the LV Corps.

The Southwest and South Fronts continue their attacks on the Donets and Mius, making minor penetrations.

Ruoff's 17th Army comes under renewed attack in the Kuban as the North Caucasus unleashes its fourth offensive against the German pocket.

The Stavka declare Koniev's Steppe Front operational, 53rd, 47th, 4th Guards, 7th Guards and 69th Armies being brought under its control. The Steppe Front situates itself between the Voronezh and Southwest Fronts to strike the German forces around Kharkov.