 By re-establishing a continuous front on Army Group South's left flank, the 4th Panzer Army and the 8th Army had, for the moment, blunted a deadly thrust, but to the north and southeast fresh blows had already been dealt or were in the making.Employing the peculiar rippling effect that marked their offensives, the Red Army, thwarted in one place, had shifted to others.For the first time in the war they had the full strategic initiative, and they used it well.