The article analyzes the combat activity of the 7th Mechanized Corps as part of the 2nd Ukrainian front from October 1943 to January 1944. On the basis of the memoirs of the front commander, I.S. Konev, and a number of other sources, the participation of the Corps in the Novohatskoe and Kirovograd Offensive is described. The authors concluded that the 7th Mechanized Corps as a mobile reserve of the front command was used to break through a well-fortified enemy defense.