A day in history The military operation to liberate Kiev began The offensive operation of Kiev began on November 3, 1943. The main group of Soviet soldiers attacked the positions of the German army. After a 40-minute artillery barrage, the Red Army advanced 1-2 kilometers unimpeded. At the end of the first day of the operation, the 240th Infantry Division, which attacked Kiev directly and was supported by units of the 7th Artillery Corps, was already in the Puscha-Vodicha suburb of Kiev.