On December 21, 1917 the Red Guards of the Soviet Russia led by Vladimir Antonov-Ovseyenko occupied Kharkiv.
At night on December 22, 1917 the Russian Red Guards with local Bolsheviks disarmed Ukrainian military units and arrested leaders of the Kharkiv City Council and garrison.
On December 24-25, 1917 in the building of Noble Assembly (Market Square) in Kharkiv took place another First Congress of Soviets.
Participants elected the new composition of the Central Executive Committee of Ukraine of 102 members headed by Vladimir Zatonsky.
Later to the People's Secretariat were added Yevgeniy Neronovich, Yuriy Kotsiubynsky, Vladimir Antonov-Ovseyenko, Ivan Klimenko.