Telegin was a member of the Defense Council of Moscow during the battle for the city. His most important role was as Chief Commissar, first in the Don Front and afterwards in the Central Front (Later renamed 1st Belorussian), where he became a close associate and a friend of Marshal Zhukov. Telegin took part in the battles of Stalingrad, Kursk, the Dniepr, Belarus, Poland, Pomerania and Berlin. He was present at the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender and a member of the commission tasked with identifying the remains of Hitler and the Goebbels family. He served as Zhukov's deputy in the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany.