24 September 1941, 02:45

Comrade Kulik, as is evident, is not coping with the task set before him and is not carrying out orders for a decisive offensive. Bearing in mind the common task of the 54th Army and the Leningrad Front in the defense of Leningrad, it would appear advantageous to subordinate the 54th Army to you. Whom can you put forward as a candidate for the 54th Army? Would Khozin be suitable for this post?

The possibility of detaching a left-flank group of divisions of the 54th Army into a separate operational group subordinate to the Stavka is being considered.

An urgent reply is expected.

I. Stalin, B. Shaposhnikov

The Blockade of Leningrad in Documents of Declassified Archives. P. 49.

TsAMO RF. F. 148a. Op. 3763. D. 93. L. 39.