Transcript of talk of the Supreme commander to the Commander of the South West Front.

08.08.1941

Brovary.: General Colonel Kirponos at the device.

Moscow.: Stalin at the device.

Stalin.: We received information that the Front {army unit} with a light heart has decided to give Kiev to the enemy, justifying this with the lack of men that are capable of defending it. Is it true?

Kirponos.:Hello comrade Stalin. They reported you wrong. I and the Front Council are doing everything that is possible to not to lose Kiev. The enemy has started the offence with up to three divisions against the Southern part of the fortified region. With support of aviation he has broken through the fortified region and wedged in for up to 4km. Yesterday, as reported by general Vlasov, the enemy lost up to 1200 men killed and wounded. Fighting was fierce and several villages have been passing from one side to another for several times. To reinforce the fortified region yesterday and today two aeromobile brigades were given. Additionally 30 tanks were tasked with an objective to eliminate the enemy in the breakthrough region and restore the previous positions. Aviation has been tasked to support the land forces.

S.: Can you confidently say that you have adopted all the needed measures to unconditionally restore the previous positions of the Southern part of the fortified region?

K.: I assume that the forces that are at my disposal should ensure achieving the goal assigned to the defence region. However I must report that I have no more reserve left in the given direction.

S.: Take forces from other directions to reinforce the Kiev direction. I think that after Muzichenko has left the circle, your offence in the direction known to you loses its initial importance. However it will be more difficult for Ponedelin, but here we will have to come up with some different combinations. That is, you will also have some forces freed up in this direction. Perhaps it would be possible to reinforce the defences West or North from Kiev with the freed up forces, but from these regions take some forces for the Kiev Fortified region. The Defence Committee and the Stavka beg you to do everything possible and impossible to protect Kiev. It will be easier in about two weeks as we will be able to support you with fresh forces, but during two weeks you must hold Kiev whatever it takes. I ask you to acquaint Budenny with this tape {telegraph tape}. My request and my demand to not to give Kiev away are addressed not only to you but also to Budenny. Over.

K.: Comrade Stalin, both my and the Front Council’s aspirations are directed to not letting Kiev fall to the enemy. All that we have at our disposal will be used for the defence of Kiev in order to fulfill the task that you have set for us - to hold Kiev. Your instruction to acquaint Budenny with this tape will be fulfilled now.

S.: Very good. I shake your hand tightly. Wish you luck. Over.

K.: Over. Good bye, thank you for wishing luck.

ЦАМО. Ф. 96а. Оп. 2011. Д. 5. Л. 28-30.