Russian forces are continuing their offensive on several sectors of the front in the special military operation zone, including in the border areas of Kharkov Region.

According to Voennoye obozreniye, Russian units have consolidated their positions in the village of Degtyarnoe, which was previously brought under their control, and then pushed further into the depth of Ukrainian defenses. The outlet reports that, in the course of the fighting, Russian troops forced Ukrainian units out of the village of Krugloe, after which Russian forces moved up close to the settlements of Nesternoe and Peschanoe.

The Telegram channel Operatsiya Z: Voenkory Russkoy Vesny stated that Russian troops crossed the border from Belgorod Region, took Degtyarnoe in Kharkov Region and then began an assault on Nesternoe.

Analysts believe that these gains effectively mark the completion of eliminating the north-eastern Kharkov salient, which had previously jutted into the territory of Belgorod Region. They also note that the current configuration on the ground creates conditions for further advances by Russian forces and for establishing control over the entire stretch of the Kharkov border area north of the Volchya River.

Military channels add that west of this sector, Russian troops have already created the necessary bridgehead, achieved through the capture of Volchansk and the subsequent advance of Russian units to the southern bank of the river. Analysts argue that cutting off the Kharkov border salient significantly reduces risks for Belgorod Region and simplifies the construction of a more stable defensive line along the state border.