USSR, Moscow, Kremlin.

Stalin looked at the various reports from Ukraine on the table, and angrily threw the documents in his hand on the table.

"Budyonny's counterattack failed, he didn't even have the courage to continue trying to attack, what was in his head?" Looking at the panicked expressions of several of his generals, Stalin asked coldly.

A counterattack on the flanks was the most effective way to prevent the German troops from continuing their offensive against the under-manned Zhukov group.

But Budyonny failed, and he tried an attack as cowardly as a mouse, and then he cowered and began to fight his defenses.

Even so, just yesterday came the news that German troops had entered Ukraine from Romania.

The last units of the Soviet army, which had stepped on Romanian territory, were also driven back behind the positions from which they had started.

What made Stalin even more annoyed was that the Soviet troops, who were fully defensive, did not prevent the Germans from capturing Lviv. The first important Soviet city in Ukraine has now become an enemy-occupied zone.

Although from the perspective of the frontal battlefield, the loss of Lviv did not have a great impact on the situation on the main battlefield, its far-reaching significance caused headaches for the top brass of the Soviet army.

The loss of Lviv, on the face of it, is not a nerve-wracking loss. The Soviet army, which could be repulsed, could only abandon some defensive lines to ensure the stability of its defensive lines.

As a result, the bridgehead for the Soviet attack on Brest ceased to exist, and its loss left the Soviet army without a favorable position for a flank offensive.

For the Germans, it was clear that the pressure on the Soviets to attack Brest was much greater than to attack places like Pinsk.

"The great leader, Comrade Stalin...... Zhukov managed to stabilize the defensive line, and he is building a new defensive line near Krupki. One of the generals said to Stalin.

Another general followed suit and comforted: "As long as we have enough reinforcements for him, we can let him stabilize his defensive line." ”

"Yes! I know he's steadied his defence! Stalin pressed his hand on the table and said to his men.

Then he raised his voice and continued: "Have you not thought about what would happen if the Germans suddenly went south? ”

The top brass of the Soviet army, who did not know the specific strategic arrangement of Germany, were very afraid that the Germans would move south into Ukraine.

Once the German army attacking Smolensk begins to attack southward, then the Black Sea will help the German army complete the encirclement and leave the Soviet army in Ukraine cornered.

If Germany encircles the main Soviet army in Ukraine, then the Soviet army may lose more than 1 million troops in the next month.

This possibility is like a sword of Damocles, which has been hanging over the heads of the Soviet high-level, making it difficult for Stalin and others to sleep.

Although there is no indication yet that the German forces will suddenly move south. But once the German offensive on Smolensk is blocked, it is difficult to say whether they will choose another direction of attack.

In this case, the blocking of the advance of the German troops, it seems, was not good news for Stalin.

"Budyonny is playing so badly on the southern front that he can't stay there and command the last of our remaining elites." Stalin gave his own ideas.

In the unfavorable conditions of war, changing commanders was something that Stalin often did. So everyone is used to it, and it doesn't make a big fuss.

To the headache of the remaining generals, it was clear that after the replacement of Budyonny, there were not many people qualified to take over that important position.

There are not many people who can match the marshal in terms of qualifications, and there are very few who have the courage to take over the burden from Budyonny in the present situation.

Seeing that everyone had no desire to speak, Stalin also knew that his idea of changing people was indeed beyond the comprehension of these generals.

For a moment, he even remembered Tukhachevsky, whom he had killed, and if Tukhachevsky was still around, he would have a good replacement in his hands.

Looking at these subordinates who had made up their minds and remained silent, Stalin could only explain himself: "Didn't you just say that as long as you increase the number of troops, the defense line near Krupki will be impregnable? ”

Hearing that Stalin did not ask about the replacement of the candidates, several generals also had the courage to speak: "Yes, the great leader, Comrade Stalin...... On the front we have stopped the advance of the German army, as long as the defensive line is strengthened and reinforcements are needed, it will be fine. ”

Stalin seemed to have found the answer to the problem, and a long-lost subtle smile appeared on his face: "Then, let Budyonny come back and take over the central defense, and let Zhukov go to Ukraine!" ”

In the eyes of the Soviet leader, General Zhukov, who prevented the German army from continuing to advance and turned the tide, was obviously a capable commander.

And Budyonny, who did not perform well, was clearly a mediocre general. After comparing the two, Stalin was more optimistic about Zhukov.

With this idea, Stalin decided to hand over the elite of the 2 million Soviet troops in Ukraine to a more suitable person to command and play a greater role.

As for the central defense line, doesn't it mean that only more troops are needed to defend it? It seems that Budyonny, who is a little clumsy, can also do it?

Once he had this thought in his head, it could never be dissipated. Stalin felt that his ideas were very mature, at least he could not find any flaws in himself.

"I believe that Zhukov can hold on to Ukraine, so that the war will enter a state of stalemate. Germany will be dragged down by us and defeated! Stalin said as he tapped his table twice.

Several generals always felt that Stalin's decision to change commanders was a bit of a child's play, but they could not think of any good way to dissuade them.

After all, as they just said, the battlefield on the central front line has stabilized, and as long as they increase their troops, they can hold the defensive line.

With such assurances, any explanation of their will turn out to be a backsliding and will anger Stalin, who is being proud of his maneuvers.

Therefore, in their opinion, it is the wisest choice to keep their mouths shut at this time and let Stalin make such a decision.

Sure enough, Stalin, who found that his proposal did not attract opposition, had a smile on his face a little deeper.

He gave a loud order to transfer Budyonny to the central region, take over the original Zhukov cluster, and rename this unit the Budyonny cluster.

Zhukov, on the other hand, was transferred to distant Ukraine, where he commanded 2 million Soviet troops to resist the German army, which could move south at any time.