The unit is also famous for being one of the first military formations out of which was formed the short-lived Ukrainian Soviet Army (November 30, 1918 – June 1, 1919).

However, the name for the units were nominal as the brigade's headquarters were never formed, and functions of kombrigs were performed by the regimental commanders (colonel).

During the preparations for an assault on Kharkiv most of the division, however, refused to obey orders except for the Red Cossacks and the 4th Insurgent Nezhyn Regiment.

The Finns, mounted on skis, and carrying superior arms (Kp-31 submachineguns), were able to break the route of march of the 44th Division on the road leading to Suomussalmi.

According to Robert Edwards, the division's Commander A. Vinogradev managed to escape, but later, on the orders of Stalin's emissary, Lev Mekhlis, he was shot for incompetence following a sham trial.

[4] Other records suggest that Commander (kombrig) Alexei Vinogradov was sentenced in January 1940 to the Highest Degree of Punishment (VMN) by the Military Tribunal of the 9th Army.

In March 1940, the division was again redeployed to Ukraine and in June was incorporated into the 49th Rifle Corps of the 5th Army of the Southern Front.

It participated in the Great Patriotic War as the 44th Kiev Red Banner Mining Division named after Schors.

It was part of 13th Rifle Corps, 12th Army, Kiev Special Military District in June 1941.

By 21 July 1941 the division was already short of shtat (establishment or Table of Organization and Equipment) by over 4,000 soldiers, 199 cargo trucks, and over 3,000 rifles and carbines.