The division's first formation was formed in the spring of 1941 and fought in the Leningrad Strategic Defensive before being broken up into two smaller brigades.

[1] When Operation Barbarossa began on 22 June 1941, the division was ordered to combat readiness.

By 24 June, all of these tanks were put in full working order, sent to the rail station and moved to the Karelian Isthmus.

The 10th Mechanized Corps became part of the 23rd Army reserve east of Vyborg.

[2] Due to the German advance on Leningrad from the south, the division transferred to the Luga Operational Group and defended positions in the Luga River area during mid-July.

At the same time, the division moved to Dobele and became part of the Baltic Military District.

The new 25th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade remained in Ādaži until November 1993, when it moved to Strugi Krasnye.