 Before it could begin , operations in Kiev needed to be finished . Half of Army Group Center had swung to the south in the back of the Kiev position , while Army Group South moved to the north from its Dniepr bridgehead . The encirclement of Soviet forces in Kiev was achieved on 16 September . A savage battle ensued in which the Soviets were hammered with tanks , artillery , and aerial bombardment . After ten days of vicious fighting , the Germans claimed over 600 @,@ 000 Soviet soldiers captured . Actual losses were 452 @,@ 720 men , 3 @,@ 867 artillery pieces and mortars from 43 divisions of the 5th , 21st , 26th , and 37th Soviet Armies . 
