From 10 July, the division fought as part of the 27th Army of the Northwestern Front, being encircled twice and breaking out to Toropets, Sakhnovo, Loknya, and further to Kholm. After leaving the encirclement, the division was withdrawn to the Valday area for rebuilding. On 24 September Zheleznikov was relieved of command and demoted to command the 117th Rifle Regiment of the 23rd Rifle Division of the army. The regiment distinguished itself in early October in battles on the Lake Beloye and Lake Seliger bridgehead, and on 8 November Zheleznikov took command of the 257th Rifle Division, forming as part of the front. In late December the division joined the 4th Shock Army, then transferred to the 3rd Shock Army. The division fought in the Toropets–Kholm offensive, during which Zhleznikov suffered a serious leg fracture in an accident on 23 January and was hospitalized until September of that year.