The River crossing at Udarnik was the stepping-off point for the Blue Division’s baptism of fire against the Soviet forces. The 269th Regiment of the 250th Infantry Division was ordered to cross the Volkhov River in an effort to support the 126th Division driving on Tikhiv with the aim to surround and cut off Leningrad. The hamlets of Russa and Sitno sat alongside the Volkhov River and acted as a major anchor point for the Spanish forces as they operated across the Volkhov River.