I have received a coded message from Ponomarenko in which he speaks unfavorably of your work and thinks you will be unable to lead the front, since you are not demanding enough of your subordinates and do not know how to tighten them up when the situation requires it. I ask you to have a personal talk with Ponomarenko and to take decisive measures to correct the shortcomings in your work.

I. Stalin

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 59. L. 19-21.