Telegram to I.I. Fedyuninsky, A.A. Zhdanov, A.A. Kuznetsov, 23 October 1941

Source: Tom 18

Source: Tom 18

To Fedyuninsky, Zhdanov, Kuznetsov. Judging by your slow actions, one can only conclude that you still have not grasped the critical situation in which the troops of the Leningrad Front find themselves. If within the next few days you do not break through the front and do not restore a firm link with the 54th Army, which connects you with the country's rear, all your troops will be taken prisoner. The restoration of this link is necessary not only to supply the troops of the Leningrad Front, but especially in order to give the troops of the Leningrad Front a way out to the east to avoid captivity, should the necessity arise to surrender Leningrad. Bear in mind that Moscow is in a critical situation and is unable to help you with fresh forces. Either in these two or three days you break through the front and give our troops the opportunity to withdraw to the east in the event that it proves impossible to hold Leningrad, or you will all be taken prisoner.

We demand from you decisive and swift action. Concentrate eight or ten divisions and break through to the east. This is necessary both in the event that Leningrad is held and in the event that Leningrad is surrendered. For us, the army is more important. We demand from you decisive action.

Stalin.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 488. L. 12-13.