During the summer of 1942, when the German advance approached his family's home in Alexeyevka, Nadezhda and the couple's two children became refugees and eventually made their way to Buy, Kostroma Oblast, where her parents lived. In the fall of 1942, the formation of new airborne corps was begun in Moscow Oblast. Arapov became the chief of staff of the 8th Airborne Corps, but on 8 December the corps was converted into the 3rd Guards Airborne Division, and he became chief of staff of the division. On 25 December Arapov was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In February 1943, after completing its training, the division was transferred to the Northwestern Front to fight in the Battle of Demyansk, an attempt to destroy a German salient. From 25 February to 12 March the division attacked heavily fortified German positions, but was unsuccessful due to weak artillery support. After losing two-thirds of its personnel, the division was withdrawn to the rear for reinforcement. However, the situation in the Kursk Bulge necessitated the speedy dispatch of the division there, and while still rebuilding it was transferred to the 53rd Army of the Steppe Front in April and May.