Abstract <p>The results of morphogenetic studies of soils in the forest-steppe zone (Venevsky raion of the Tula oblast) are presented. Soils are formed under conditions of paleocryogenic microrelief, represented by blocks (microelevations) and interblocks (microdepressions), on which the soils differ in a number of morphological and physicochemical characteristics, which make it possible to classify them into leached, slightly burrowed by burrowing animals medium-depth, slightly humus (Luvic Chernozems), and podzolic deep-gley medium-depth slightly humus (Luvic Phaeozems) soils, respectively. They are formed on paleocryogenically transformed soil-forming rocks and have passed the stage of a complex process (cryolithopedogenesis), and soils on different microrelief elements should be considered as a genetically related two-unit body. A comprehensive methodological approach based on macro- and micro-studies of soil features has allowed us to identify soil combinations (complexes and spots) in the structure of the soil cover. However, since this area has passed the stage of periglacial cryogenic transformation and the soils were formed on the paleocryogenic microrelief, the term <i>paleocryolithogenic soil combinations</i> is proposed for such and similar areas. The concept of the role of cryolithogenic processes in the Late Pleistocene, which determined the formation, evolution, and differentiation of surface chernozems in the center of the East European Plain, is proposed.</p>