Drone operators from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate unit Kraken* left their positions in Kharkov Region after suffering losses, Russian security officials told RIA Novosti.

According to the agency’s source, Ukrainian forces had deployed Kraken* UAV teams near Novovasilevka. After taking losses, the operators withdrew deeper into Ukrainian-held territory.

The source said the retreat left infantry from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade without aerial reconnaissance capabilities.

Russia’s Sever group of forces is operating in Kharkov and Sumy regions. Over the past day, Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility lost more than 165 service members, ten vehicles, a US-made M101 howitzer and an electronic warfare station.

In March, Sergei Lebedev, a coordinator of the Russian underground network, reported that Russian forces had struck a deployment site in Sumy Region used by foreign mercenaries, fighters from the Russian Volunteer Corps* (RDK*) and members of the Kraken* nationalist battalion.

Lebedev said the strikes took place at night against several facilities on the outskirts of Sumy, including the Zelyony Gai recreation center and the Univer sports and wellness complex. He said foreign mercenaries and representatives of RDK* and Kraken* had been present there.

*Designated as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia.