in december 1942, kazakevich was appointed chief of staff of the far eastern nkvd rifle division, formed from border troops. in february 1943 the division was renamed the 102nd rifle division. in the summer of 1943, kazakevich fought in the battle of kursk and operation kutuzov. on 27 august, he was awarded his first order of the red banner. in september, he became commander of the 399th rifle division. kazakevich led the division during the chernigov-pripyat offensive, part of the battle of the dnieper. it helped capture novozybkov in september. in november, the division fought in the gomel-rechitsa offensive. on 3 june 1944, kazakevich was promoted to major general and was awarded the order of kutuzov 2nd class.