Lötzen decision

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At the end of August 1941, the Nazi German High Command OKH had the option of either continuing the advance on Moscow, or destroying the Soviet forces in the south. Because the German Army Group South lacked sufficient strength to encircle and destroy the forces, a significant contribution from Army Group Center was needed to accomplish the task. After a dispute within the German High Command the bulk of Panzergruppe 2 and the 2nd Army were detached from Army Group Center and sent due south to encircle the Soviet army and meet the advancing Army Group South east of Kiev.

The advance on Moscow was delayed for 4 weeks, a fact that eventually proved detrimental in the subsequent Battle of Moscow. While tactically very successful, the Battle of Kiev did little to enhance the Germans' strategic position, because the main objective, a decisive victory that would conclude the war, was not achieved.