Approximately 15 kilometers west of Târgu Frumos, the Soviets captured Pascani on the 11th, then regrouped their forces the following day. Then early on the 13th probing attacks against Cristesti Iasi drove out the Romanian security outpost. The Soviets then bridged the Moldova River and advanced upon Timisesti.

The two-day Soviet pause allowed the Romanians to regain their equilibrium and prepare the battleground. They managed to repel all Soviet attacks short of the village. In the long run, it did not matter, as on the following day fresh Soviet troops added strength to the attack and overwhelmed the Romanians in this sector.