Source: Tom 18

Source: marxists.org, Volume 15

In view of the extraordinary situation that has arisen, and for the purpose of the swift mobilization of all the forces of the peoples of the USSR to repel the enemy that has treacherously attacked our Motherland, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Central Committee of the VKP(b), and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR have deemed it necessary:

1. To create a State Defense Committee [GKO] consisting of:

Comrade Stalin, I.V. (Chairman) Comrade Molotov, V.M. (Deputy Chairman) Comrade Voroshilov, K.E. Comrade Malenkov, G.M.

Comrade Beria, L.P.

2. To concentrate all state power in the hands of the State Defense Committee.

3. To oblige all citizens and all Party, Soviet, Komsomol, and military organs to carry out without question the decisions and directives of the State Defense Committee.

Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR

M.I. KALININ

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and Secretary of the CC VKP(b)

I.V. STALIN

Moscow, the Kremlin. 30 June 1941.

Pravda, 1 July 1941.