Defensive operations of the Reds to protect an important strategic railway junction and river port of the city of Tsaritsyn from General Pyotr Krasnov’s Don army in July 1918 – February 1919.

In late July – early August 1918 Krasnov’s troops launched the first offensive against Tsaritsyn to unite with the rebellious Czechoslovak Legion, and the Ural and Orenburg Cossacks. Defense of Tsaritsyn’s was organized by the Military Council of the North Caucasian Military District (Chairman Joseph Stalin, members Kliment Voroshilov and Sergey Minin). The Whites' forces cut off Tsaritsyn’s communications with the North Caucasus and disrupted communications with Moscow. On August 20, the Reds went on the counter-offensive, and by September 6, the Cossack units were ousted back beyond the Don in the battles where artillery and armored trains were actively used.

On September 22, 1918, Krasnov launched a second offensive against the city. By October 15, the Whites had managed to break into the suburbs of Tsaritsyn. The Reds were able to achieve a turning point due to the use of armored trains and artillery (up to 25–30 guns per 1 km of the front, the highest density for the entire period of the Civil War), support by newly arrived formations from the northern and southern directions and ships of the Volga flotilla. In October – November, as a result of the counter-offensive by the Red Army’s 10th Army, the Whites were driven back beyond the Don.

On January 1, 1919, Krasnov’s forces launched a third offensive against Tsaritsyn. The Whites managed to break the resistance of the 10th Army (commander Aleksander Egorov) and encircle the city. In mid-January, the Combined Cavalry Division of Boris Dumenko drove the Whites from part of the occupied area and broke through the Don front. Semyon Budyonny, who replaced him, made a deep raid across the rear of the enemy. In February the Whites had to retreat, Krasnov resigned from the post of the Great Don Host ataman.