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Puteiko transferred to the staff of the 11th Army on 3 October, initially serving as assistant head of the 1st section of its operational department. He became senior assistant head of the section in January 1942. Until the end of 1941, the army defended the line of the Lovat River east of Staraya Russa, and from January fought in front operations to defeat German troops near Staraya Russa and Demyansk. Puteiko, then a captain, took command of the 936th Rifle Regiment of the 254th Rifle Division on 8 February. In April, he was appointed senior assistant head of the operational department of the staff of the 11th Army for the study of combat experience. Puteiko was appointed chief of staff of the 254th Division, holding defensive positions east of Staraya Russa, on 3 July.