However, it first saw combat as an infantry unit in the Demyansk Offensive in late February 1943, then helped defend Ponyri during the Battle of Kursk.

For the rest of December and January 1943, the division conducted parachute jumps and trained in tactics, preparing for operations in the German rear.

[2] In February 1943, it was transferred from the Reserve of the Supreme High Command (RVGK) to the Northwestern Front, joining the 1st Shock Army.

[3] The division entered combat on 26 February during the Demyansk Offensive, and in the second half of March transferred to the 53rd Army of the RVGK on the Kursk direction.

The 4th Guards Airborne fought in the Battle of Kursk as part of the 13th Army of the Central Front, distinguishing itself in the repulse of the German attack at Ponyri.

Elements of the division crossed the Dnieper on 1 October, and fought fiercely to hold and expand the bridgehead in the area of Horodyshche, Gubin, and Dytiatky, 20 kilometers south of Chernobyl.

It crossed the Dniester southwest of Mohyliv-Podilskyi on 25 March, then developed the offensive alongside the rest of the 40th Army and the 11th Guards Tank Corps of the 1st Ukrainian Front to capture Khotyn on 3 April.

For its "exemplary fulfillment of command tasks, valor, and courage" during the offensive, the division was awarded the Order of Suvorov, 2nd class, on 15 September.