Olovyannikov's first combat mission took place on 12 July 1943, during the Battle of Kursk. He went on to see action during the Battle of Smolensk, Operation Bagration, the East Prussian offensive, and the Battle of Königsberg. During this period the 312th Assault Aviation Regiment formed part of the , of the 4th Air Army of the 2nd Belorussian Front. The summer of 1943 was a particularly busy one for Olovyannikov, as he personally destroyed six field guns and seventeen vehicles, blew up two bridges, and shot down a Focke-Wulf plane. For ten successful combat missions during the Battle of Kursk, Olovyannikov was awarded the Order of the Red Star. By August 1944 Olovyannikov had reached the rank of lieutenant, and had flown 100 sorties, destroying two aircraft on the ground, five tanks, fifteen railway cars, and many other pieces of enemy military equipment. He joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1944.