Third Battle of Kharkov
The concept of the deep operation had not yet been fully understood by Stalin. However, Stalin recognised his own error, and from this point onward, stood back from military decision-making for the most part. The defeat meant the deep operation would fail to realise its strategic aim. The Third Battle of Kharkov had demonstrated the importance of diversion, or "Maskirovka" operations. Such diversions and deception techniques became a hallmark of Soviet offensive operations for the rest of the war.