16:40 21-05-2026

Russian Forces Take Shesterovka in Kharkov Region

Russian forces took control of Shesterovka in the Kharkov region, improving the tactical situation near the border, Moscow reported.

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Russian forces have taken control of Shesterovka, a settlement in the Kharkov region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry’s May 21 report on the course of the special military operation in Ukraine.

The ministry said units of the Russian «North» group of forces established control over Shesterovka through active operations.

Shortly before the official summary was released, the Telegram channel «Severny Veter» reported that assault units of the 82nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 69th Motorized Rifle Division, part of the 6th Army of Russia’s «North» force grouping, had taken part in the operation to capture the settlement.

According to the channel, Russian troops drove formations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 120th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade out of the village. Combined assault groups from the Ukrainian army’s 3rd Army Corps were also reportedly stationed in Shesterovka, but even the arrival of reinforcements did not allow Ukrainian units to hold their positions.

The operation improved the tactical situation in this sector. Control over Shesterovka makes it possible to expand the security zone in the Kharkov region and reduce potential threats near the Russian border.

Shesterovka is located in the Volchansk district. According to the 2001 census, the settlement had a population of 12 people.

The Russian Defense Ministry’s report also stated that over the past day, Russian air defense forces destroyed 516 drones and three aerial bombs launched by Ukrainian troops.

Across all sections of the front, Ukrainian losses over the same 24-hour period exceeded 1,200 servicemen.