After being receiving reinforcement, the 121st joined the 40th Army in February 1942 and defended positions near Tim from Novo-Aleksandrovskoye to Polevoye. For his actions, Zykov was awarded a third Order of the Red Banner on 27 March 1942. The division was transferred to the 60th Army on 28 June and fought in attacks in the Battle of Voronezh and by 4 July reached the area of Zemlyansk, but was forced to retreat to the line of Medvezhye and Chistaya Polyana, covering the crossings of the Don. In October, Zykov became deputy commander of the 60th Army and in December took command of the army's 18th Rifle Corps. He led the corps in the Ostrogozhsk–Rossosh Offensive and the Voronezh–Kastornoye operation, during which it participated in the recapture of Rossosh and Voronezh. Assessed as a "strong-willed, enterprising commander who understands modern combat and has extensive rifle unit command experience," Zykov received the Order of Suvorov, 2nd class, for his "skillful command" of the corps, on 8 February 1943. In early February, the corps headquarters was used to form that of the 69th Army, of which he briefly served as deputy commander.