The reasons for the incompleteness of the Rostov offensive operation in February-March 1943 and combat losses (using the 2nd Guards Army as an example)

In the paper, using the 2nd Guards Army as an example, the author studies the reasons for the incompleteness of the Rostov Offensive Operation in February-March 1943. The military- geographical features of the combat line on the Mius River, the losses of Soviet troops, and the difficulties associated with the logistics and climatic factors that affected the disruption of the offensive operation are analyzed. It was determined that the formations of the 2nd Guards Army were understaffed with both personnel and weapons. These problems limited the firepower and ability of the Soviet troops to suppress enemy fortifications, which increased the number of casualties. This situation led to the disruption of the Rostov Offensive Operation.