State Defense Committee Resolution on Comrade Kulik, February 6, 1942

Source: Tom 18

Resolution of the State Defense Committee on Comrade G.I. Kulik

Comrade Kulik G.I. was sent by the Stavka to Kerch in November 1941, when the situation on the Kerch peninsula became difficult due to the enemy's seizure of Kerch. Comrade Kulik had the task of organizing the defense on the approaches to Kerch, halting the enemy's advance, and thereby preventing the loss of Kerch.

Comrade Kulik not only failed to carry out this assignment, but by taking it upon himself to order the abandonment of Kerch without authorization from the Stavka, he facilitated the capture of Kerch by the enemy.

Moreover, Comrade Kulik, arriving at the Kerch front, instead of fulfilling the order of the Stavka and organizing the defense of Kerch, began in a panic-stricken manner to organize the evacuation of the troops across the strait, thus dooming the city and the garrison of Kerch.

The investigation established that Comrade Kulik, in the performance of his duties, conducted himself as a defeatist and, by his behavior, essentially facilitated the enemy's designs.

The State Defense Committee resolves:

1. To demote Comrade Kulik by two ranks from Marshal of the Soviet Union to the rank of Major General.

2. To deprive Comrade Kulik of the decoration of Hero of the Soviet Union and of his four Orders of Lenin.