In September 1941, Rudkin was appointed a department head in the automobile and tank directorate of the Karelian Front, fighting in World War II. In June 1942, he transferred to become deputy head of the Stalingrad Light Armored Training Center, and fought in the Battle of Stalingrad. Rudkin took command of the 215th Tank Brigade in the Moscow Military District in August, but became commander of the 179th Tank Brigade in November, fighting on the Southern Front and the Southwestern Front. Between 14 January and 14 March 1943, the brigade fought in the Ostrogozhsk–Rossosh Offensive, Operation Star, and the Third Battle of Kharkov as part of the 3rd Tank Army. During the fighting, the brigade captured dozens of settlements and large amounts of military equipment. During the fighting for Kharkov, the 179th reportedly destroyed around 50 tanks and other military equipment, and killed large numbers of German soldiers. After it was encircled during the Third Battle of Kharkov, Rudkin led his brigade out of the pocket near Staryi Saltiv. On 31 March, he received the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin for his leadership, and was promoted to major general on 7 June.