On 9 July 1943, Stavka designated a new Reserve Front in the Voronezh region, that had been effective since 30 April.
Most of these armies had been reassigned from the Northwestern Front, North Caucasus Front, or the Reserve of the Supreme High Command (Stavka reserve, or the RVGK).
It incorporated forces from the Soviet rear areas to the West of Kursk salient along the line Tula-Yelets-Stary Oskol-Rossosh (Тула-Елец-Старый Оскол-Россошь).
It included units pulled out of the battles of Stalingrad and Leningrad and others.
Under the command of Colonel General Ivan Konev from July to October 1943, it took part in the Battle of Kursk.