Order of the Day, February 3, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Koniev and Volutin Troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front, going over to the offensive from the area north of Kirovograd in a westerly direction, and troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front from the area southeast of Belaya Tserkov in an easterly direction having pierced the strongly fortified German defence, advanced in five days' offensive fighting from 50 to 75 kilometres in each direction to meet each other, and widened the breach of the offensive to 160-175 kilometres along the front.

As a result of these operations the troops of the 2nd and 1st Ukrainian fronts joined up in the area of Zvenigorodka-Shpola, and thus closed the ring of encirclement around the enemy .grouping operating north of this line, numbering nine infantry divisions and one tank division. In the course of their offensive our troops captured more than 300 populated places. These included the towns of Zvenigorodka, Shpo-la, Srnyela, Boguslav and Kanev, and the large railway junctions of Bobrinskaya, Tsvetkovo and Mironovka.

In the fighting distinction was won by troops commanded by Lieut.-General Galanin, Maj.-General Ryzhov, Lieut.-General Zhmachenko, Lieut.-General Trofimenko, Lieut.-General Koro-teyev, Maj.-General Biryukov, Maj.- General Akimenko, Maj.-General Fomenko, Maj.-General Shmygo and Maj.-General Puzikov, cavalrymen commanded by Maj.-General Selivanov, tankmen under Col.- General of Tank Troops Rotmistrov, Lieut.-General of Tank Troops Kravchenko, Maj.-General of Tank Troops Kirichenko, Maj.-General of Tank Troops Polezkov, Lieut.- General of Tank Troops Alexeyev and Lieut.-General of Tank Troops Volkov, artillerymen under Col.-General of Artillery Varentsov, Lieut.-General of Artillery Fomin, Maj.-General of Artillery Gusarov, Maj.-General of Artillery Faustov, Maj.-General of Artillery Glebov, Maj.- General of Artillery Lebedev and Col. Zykov, and airmen under Lieut.-General of Aviation Krassovsky and Lieut.- General of Aviation Goryunov. To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting on both fronts are recommended to bear the name of Zvenigorodka, and to be decorated with orders.

To-day, February 3, at 20.00 hours, the capital of our Motherland, Moscow, in the name of the Motherland, will salute with 20 artillery salvoes from 224 guns our gallant troops of the 2nd and 1st Ukrainian Fronts which broke through the German defences and effected the encirclement of the large enemy grouping.

For the excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which effected the breakthrough and took part in the fighting for Zvenigorodka, Shpola, Srnyela, Boguslav and Kanev. Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the struggle for the freedom and independence of our Motherland! Death to the German invaders!

J. V. Stalin

Marshal of the Soviet Union

Supreme Commander-in-Chief