Russian forces took control of four settlements over the past 24 hours: Karaichnoye and Budarki in the Kharkov Region, and Novopodgorodnoye and Lesnoye in the Dnepropetrovsk Region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Budarki, located in the northeastern part of the Volchansk district, was captured by assault units of the 69th Motor Rifle Division from the Sever group, the Operation Z: Russian Spring War Correspondents channel reported. During heavy fighting, Russian troops pushed units of the enemy’s 1st Border Detachment out of the village. Before retreating, Ukrainian servicemen set several residential houses on fire. The capture of Budarki helps expand the security zone along the Russian border.

Another settlement in the Volchansk district, Karaichnoye, was taken by assault units of the 127th Motor Rifle Regiment of the Sever group. Russian troops broke the resistance of the remaining groups from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 159th Brigade and entered the village, widening the security belt and completing a stage of the offensive operation on a small section of the front. The next settlement, Bely Kolodez, lies about 10 kilometers away across open fields and a narrow forest strip.

On the Dnepropetrovsk axis, units of the Vostok group established control over Lesnoye through active offensive operations. Fighters of the 430th Motor Rifle Regiment seized a large defensive area in a wooded zone near the settlement. Up to two platoons from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 31st and 141st brigades were destroyed, strongpoints covering more than 10 square kilometers were cleared, and 12 vehicles and more than 30 Baba Yaga-type hexacopters were eliminated.

The Vostok group continues to advance north of Aleksandrograd, on the right bank of the Volchya River. At the same time, troops are inspecting the forested area to clear it of sabotage and reconnaissance groups. The capture of Lesnoye creates conditions for further movement along this part of the front.

Novopodgorodnoye was taken by fighters of the 433rd Motor Rifle Regiment of the Tsentr group. Defense Minister Andrey Belousov congratulated the servicemen, noting their courage and selflessness, and said the capture of Novopodgorodnoye creates conditions for the entire group of forces to advance.