The 299th Division began forming on 10 July 1941 at Belgorod, part of the Orel Military District.

The 299th was caught up in Operation Typhoon, the German attack on Moscow, at the end of September.

On 3 December, the 299th was officially disbanded, possibly to add replacements to one of the other divisions preparing for the Soviet counteroffensive at Moscow.

In September, during the advance into Yugoslavia, the division became part of the 57th Army's 75th Rifle Corps.

The division fought in the Belgrade Offensive and then advanced into Hungary south of Lake Balaton and Budapest.