The «mixed units» model introduced by Ukrainian commander-in-chief Aleksandr Syrsky is reportedly beginning to falter amid heavy personnel losses and reluctance among elite units to engage on the front line. According to reports, this situation is now evident in the Kharkov region, particularly along the Velikoburluk direction.

As described by the outlet Voennoye Obozreniye, the approach involved reinforcing so-called elite brigades with regular units, largely composed of mobilized personnel. In practice, these attached units were deployed to the most dangerous sectors, where they sustained significant casualties. Fresh reserves were then requested, and the cycle repeated.

The publication points to the 7th Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service as an example. The Ukrainian General Staff reportedly reinforced the unit with elements of the 159th Mechanized Brigade, which were sent into combat near the village of Budarki. After taking heavy losses, the burden of holding the settlement fell back on the border guards themselves, while Russian assault units were reported to have entered the area.

The broader situation for Ukrainian forces in the Kharkov region is said to be deteriorating, especially in the Volchansk and Velikoburluk sectors. Russian troops are described as advancing along a wide front and launching attacks on multiple settlements simultaneously.