after operation barbarossa, the 18th mechanized corps covered the retreat of the 12th army and the 18th army. in the haisyn the 47th tank division was encircled but managed to break out. during the battle for poltava, rodin was severely wounded. in march 1942, he became commander of the 52nd tank brigade. on 27 march, he received the order of the red banner. in june, he was given command of the 28th tank corps. in july, the corps was subordinated to the 1st tank army and then to the 62nd army. the corps fought in the attempt to break through to encircled 62nd army units on the don during late july. on 27 july, elements of the corps crossed the don and achieved some success against the 3rd infantry division and 60th infantry division. on 4 august, rodin was promoted to major general. in late august, the corps was put in reserve in the volga military district. from october, rodin was the commander of the tank troops of the southwestern front.