It conducted defensive operations as a part of the Mozhaisk Defence Line and the Soviet Reserve Front.

On December 2, in the second half of day in the 110th Rifle Division's sector the Wehrmacht went over to the offensive and attacked in the direction of Mogutovo.

From the west at Naro Fominsk Germans have directed on Kubinka along a highway, and then to Golitcin and Aprelevka, threatening rears of 33rd and 5th Soviet Armies.

[5] From April 1944 the 33rd Army, under General Lieutenant Vasily Kryuchenkin, participated in Operation Bagration to retake Belarus as part of the 2nd Belorussian Front.

During the Mogilyov Offensive it successfully crossed the Dniepr and Pronya rivers, and liberated Shklov on June 27, 1944.

In the end of July–August the Army participated in the Kaunas Offensive during which it cleared the approaches to East Prussia.

On September 10, it was released from VGK reserve, and joined the 1st Belorussian Front on October 19 in preparation for the Warsaw-Poznan Offensive.