The flotilla took part in the battle of Stalingrad. The flotilla made trawling of mines laid by enemy aircraft on the Volga river, carried out air defense river routes, escorted caravans, and some ships with military and national-economic cargoes. The force of the flotilla consisted of 7 gunboats, 14 armored, 33 boats-minesweepers, 2 floating anti-aircraft battery, railway battery and the 2nd battalion of the marine corps.