Usenko led the division through the later stages of Operation Koltso, the reduction of the encircled German Sixth Army at Stalingrad, as part of 66th Army. During the course of the operation the much-depleted division was officially credited with capturing 6,647 enemy officers and men, and seizing 67 artillery pieces, 297 machine guns, 30 tanks, 521 other vehicles, and 5,253 rifles.