When the German invasion began, the 140th was assigned to the 36th Rifle Corps in Kiev Military District (Southwestern Front) reserves, and by June 27 it was in 6th Army, facing elements of the German XXXIV Army Corps north of Khmilnyk. On June 29 the Front commander, Col. Gen. M. P. Kirponos, criticized the performance of 36th Corps, stating in part: By late July the division was in 49th Rifle Corps, still in 6th Army, near Monastyryshche, but was later relocated to Southern Front. In early August the division was trapped in the encirclement at Uman, and was destroyed by the middle of the month. The division number was finally deleted from the Soviet order of battle on September 19.