"Between the Hammer and the Anvil" -- Benefitting from the winter, Marshal Timoschenko decided to launch a significant offensive against German Army Group South. The Russians managed to create significant openings aimed at reaching the basin of Donetz from Izyum. Khristishche, held by the first battalion of the 196th infantry regiment, controlled the road to Slavyansk. From January 23, the Russians made many expensive attempts to take Khristishche but all were pushed back. It was not until dawn of the 25th that a patrol succeeded in penetrating the city.
