Operation Star

Operation Star
Part of Soviet-German Front in World War II
The German army deployed to defend Kharkov.
Date February 2 – March 3, 1943 (1 month, 2 weeks and 2 days) Location Belgorod–Kharkov region, Soviet Union Result Temporary Soviet victory
Belligerents
Soviet Union	Germany
Commanders and leaders
A. M. Vasilevsky F. I. Golikov N. F. Vatutin P. S. Rybalko	Erich von Manstein Hermann Hoth Paul Hausser Eberhard von Mackensen
Strength
347,2001	Summary later
Casualties and losses
33,331 dead, 62,384 injured1	18,168 dead and missing 31,601 injured2

Operation Star or Operation Zvezda (Russian: Звезда, lit. 'Star') was a Red Army offensive on the Eastern Front of World War II begun on 2 February 1943.³ The attack was the responsibility of the Voronezh Front under the command of Filipp Golikov and a part of the larger Voronezh-Kharkov Strategic Offensive Operation.

Its main objectives were the cities of Kharkov and Kursk. While initially successful in capturing both cities, the Soviets overextended themselves, allowing Field Marshal Erich von Manstein to launch a counteroffensive and inflict a defeat on the Soviets in the Third Battle of Kharkov.