Russian security sources told reporters that a Ukrainian army unit suffered heavy losses in battles near Volchansk in the Kharkov region. According to data cited by TASS, the losses were linked to the absence of Ukrainian command at the control post.

The source explained that on the left bank of Volchansk, the Russian Armed Forces' Northern Grouping («Sever») expanded its bridgehead by half a kilometer after intense fighting.

He noted that such progress was possible because soldiers of Ukraine’s 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade were disorganized and suffered over thirty casualties due to the lack of command from company and platoon-level observation posts.

The source added that Ukrainian officers had abandoned the command post during the fighting and went to take part in celebrations of «Defender of Ukraine Day," marked on October 1, leaving the unit without leadership in combat.