Order of the Day, February 22, 1944

Issued by Marshal Stalin and addressed to Army General Malinovsky Troops of the Third Ukrainian Front, as the result of offensive action, have today, February 22, captured by storm the town of Krivoi Rog and the area of the Krivoi Rog mines, the large industrial centre of the Ukraine and important German defence strongpoint.

In the fighting for the capture of the town of Krivoi Rog, distinction was won by troops under Lieut.-Gen. Glagolov, Lieut.-Gen. Sharokhin, Maj.-Gen. Kotov, Maj.- Gen. Kozobutsky and Maj.-Gen. Kuznetsov; artillerymen under Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Nedolin, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Alexeyenko, Maj.-Gen. of Artillery Khitrovsky and Lieut.-Gen. of Artillery Voznyuk; airmen under Lieut.-Gen. of Aviation Sudets and Maj.-Gen. of Aviation Tolstikov. To commemorate the victory, the units and formations which particularly distinguished themselves in the fighting for the town of Krivoi Rog will be recommended to bear the name of Krivoi Rog and to be awarded orders. Today, February 22, at 22.00 hours (Moscow time), 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 Third Ukrainian Front which captured the town of Krivoi Rog.

For excellent military operations I express my thanks to all the troops under your command which took part in the liberation of the town of Krivoi Rog.

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