On 20 August, Petrakovsky received the information that he was to command the 395th Rifle Division, then forming at Voroshilovgrad. Bad weather delayed his flight to Kharkov to 22 August. The 395th personnel were originally Donbass coal miners. Petrakovsky finished assembling the division by October. The division fought in the defence of Mariupol and the Battle of Rostov in the subsequent months. On 9 April 1942, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. Petrakovsky received the award again on 5 May. During the summer of 1942, the division fought in the Battle of Voronezh. On 21 July, Petrakovsky received a promotion to major general. He was soon relieved of command due to "failure to comply with orders of the commander of the 18th Army".