After graduating from a course at the Frunze Military Academy, he was chief of staff of the Southwestern Front composite border detachment during its retreat across Ukraine after Operation Barbarossa. In February 1942 he became commander of the 371st Rifle Division and fought in the Battles of Rzhev. In February 1943 Oleshev was promoted to Major general and became commander of the 36th Rifle Corps from May. He led the corps during Operation Suvorov and Operation Bagration. After the capture of Minsk he was appointed the city's military commandant and oversaw cleanup operations in the city. He then became the commander of the 113th Rifle Corps and led it during the Baltic Offensive and East Prussian Offensive. Oleshev was promoted to lieutenant general in early May. During the summer the c