It is definitely true that Konev was able to accomplish many different feats during his service, which was demonstrated with his rising through the ranks with him eventually becoming the Chief Inspector of the Soviet Army in 1950.

There does seem to be plenty of praised heaped on him. Especially after his defeating of the German General Guderian with what became later known as the “Konev Ambush” which drew opponents in with a central retreat and two sides coming in to trap them.

He was also able to distinguish himself during the Korsun-Shevchenkovsky operation where he was able to capture 18,000 Germans and kill 55,000 during a battle that ultimately got him promoted to Marshal of the Soviet Union. As Krasnaya Zved wrote in their book Soviet Military Review, “He was not only able to asses a complicated operational situation correctly, but also to foresee the enemy’s actions.”

That being said some modern authors have taken a more negative look on him. In Otto Chaney’s book Zhukov, he paints Konev as a much more conniving person, who sought to promote himself more by the destruction of others. Saying “Konev also attacked Zhukov for creating large numbers of mechanized units without providing them with equipment and training cadres. His accusations were absurd; the decision to recreate the large mechanized formations was made in July 1940, half a year before Zhukov became chief of the general staff.”

Conclusion? While tactically strong and a powerful general, He was over ambitious at times and sought to improve his lot by sometimes being misleading or lying.

Other Sources:

Marshal K.K. Rokossovsky: The Read Army’s Gentleman Commander By Boris Soklov

A writer at War: Vasily Grossman with the Red Army By Vasily Grossman

Armageddon: The Battle for Germany. 1944-45 by Max Hastings.

Year of Victory by Ivan Stepanovich Konev.

The last 100 Days: The tumultuous and controversial story of the final days of ww II in Europe by John Toland