After the capture of Chazepetovka, the norther sector of the front was stalemated for a few days. On the 11th, Colonel Blasioli, commander of the 79th Regiment, was put in charge of a mixed column that included elements of both Pasubio and Torino Divisions. His task for the next day was to take the Bulawin railway station, a few hills in the surrounding area and the village of Saviolevka. He was to also secure the front by linking up with the German 117th Infantry Division to the north, and with Torino's 82nd Regiment to the south.

The attack went in on schedule. The Italians overcame Soviet defenders around some small houses near the railway line and hill 144(Board 4) after one hour of fighting. Encouraged by their initial successes, the Italians moved on swiftly and took the Bulawin railway station, but then the fog (which had thus far favored Italians) became their enemy. A squadron of Siberian cavalry burst out of the mists to attack an Italian column advancing toward the village of Saviolevka (the last objective for the day). An additional squadron charged Italian troops moving along the railway line, and the cavalry attacks were soon supported by Soviet infantry, artillery and mortar fire. But the Italians did not lose cohesion; in one instance they formed square, and in another they took refuge up on the railway embankment. In both cases the courageous cavalrymen were decimated.