Berezina River
After the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, Kazankin continued as chief of staff and became corps commander on 28 June. The corps fought in battles on the Berezina River. On 10 August, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for his leadership during the battles on the Berezina. In late August, the corps was withdrawn for reformation to Saratov, where a new commander was found for the corps and Kazankin became chief of staff again.