In early July 1941, the Armed Forces High Command ordered the evacuation and the putting in operation of captured Soviet vehicles, among which were the KV heavy tanks. The most significant improvement to the KV-1 was made in 1943 by the 204th Panzer Regiment of the 22nd Panzer Division. The gun was likely damaged, as it was equipped with the German 7.5 cm gun from the Pz.Kpfw. IV G with the mantlet and the MG 34 coaxial machine gun. Additionally, the Pz.Kpfw. IV commander's cupola was placed to the turret's top, the radio was replaced, and the T-34 fan with a cover was mounted.