[11] The Germans had spread their forces thin all across the front in an effort to provide as much men and material as possible for Operation Citadel.

The region had been held by German forces for nearly two years and despite Hitler's admonition not to build defensive works behind the front, some preparations had been made.

A defensive line had been started that was 5–7 kilometres (3.1–4.3 mi) in depth, consisting of minefields, interconnected trench works, and strong points.

Wherever possible, the Germans took advantage of terrain features such as streams, ravines and gullies but the positions were thinly held.

The attack was to begin once the German panzer units engaged in Operation Citadel were locked into combat and weakened by their offensive at Kursk.

German intelligence had revealed the Soviet forces massing opposite the 2nd Panzer Army and these had caused great concern to Kluge and Model.

The Western Front assault was led by the 11th Guards Army under Lieutenant General Hovhannes Bagramyan, supported by the 1st and 5th Tank Corps.

The Soviet spearheads sustained heavy casualties but pushed through and in some areas achieved significant penetration.

The German 5th Panzer Division attempted to fill the breach but they were met by the Soviet supporting armour and were forced back.

Kluge and Model had anticipated the Soviet attack and were quick to transfer units from the Kursk area to reinforce the defenders.

The total Soviet troops now engaged in Operation Kutuzov numbered 1,286,049 men supported by 2,409 tanks and 26,379 guns.

A series of engagements developed in the Orel salient between arriving German reserves and Soviet tank formations.

By 26 July the German troops were forced to desert the Orel base of operations and begin a withdrawal to the Hagen position to the east of Bryansk.

By 18 August Soviet troops had reached the Hagen line east of Bryansk at the base of the Orel salient.

The Soviet Air Forces supported the attack on German ground positions in conjunction with the preliminary artillery bombardment.

[21] While the 2nd Panzer Army was gradually being forced back, the Luftwaffe battled the VVS, destroying 94 Soviet aircraft on 13 July, including 50 Sturmoviks.

Flieger-Division maintained air superiority in defense of the German 9th Army, dealing the Soviets some significant losses in aircraft between 13 and 16 July.

[23] Tank and assault gun losses for the Red Army were particularly high, with 2,586 vehicles destroyed or damaged during Kutuzov.

[9] German tank losses are not available for this battle but Army Group Center is known to have lost 343 armoured fighting vehicles during both Citadel and Kutuzov.