The 226th was withdrawn to the Reserve of the Supreme High Command (RVGK) for rebuilding at Buguruslan on 6 August. Joining the Don Front on 18 October, the division fought as part of the 66th Army in offensive operations to destroy the German forces around Stalingrad. In January and early February 1943, in Operation Koltso, the division, overcoming stubborn Axis resistance, assault-crossed the Mokraya Mechetka and on 2 February captured the ruins of the Stalingrad Tractor Factory. For this action the division was converted into the 95th Guards Rifle Division on 4 May. Then-Lieutenant Colonel Lyakhov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner on 21 January and the Order of Alexander Nevsky on 11 March. After the end of the Battle of Stalingrad the division was withdrawn to the RVGK in the Steppe Military District, where it joined the 5th Guards Army.