After Operation Barbarossa began, then-Colonel Nikitchenko oversaw the formation of the Ufa Infantry School from July 1941, organizing the training process and preparing command personnel for the frontline. From March 1942 he commanded the 210th Cadet Rifle Brigade, formed from military schools in Bashkiria. On 15 August of that year, Nikitchenko took command of the 226th Rifle Division, arriving at Buguruslan for rebuilding. In late September the division was sent to fight in the Battle of Stalingrad and on 18 October 1942 joined the 66th Army of the Don Front. From 24 October to 2 February 1943 the 226th fought in offensive operations to destroy the German forces at Stalingrad. In January and early February 1943, in Operation Koltso, the division under his command, 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 and Nikitchenko awarded the Order of the Red Banner on 14 February. He was promoted to the rank of major general on 1 March.