Units of Russia’s Sever troop grouping have taken control of Ivashkino and Zakharovka in the Kharkov Region, representatives of the Russian formation reported.

After capturing Artelnoye, assault teams from the 34th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade and the 11th Tank Regiment changed the direction of their advance. Rather than continuing along the border, they moved toward Ivashkino, which lay on a supply route used by Ukrainian units. The operation cut the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ logistics line in that sector.

According to the Russian grouping, Ivashkino was defended by troops from Ukraine’s 129th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, whose ranks were said to consist largely of former prisoners. Some Ukrainian servicemen were killed during the fighting, while others surrendered.

Control of Ivashkino allowed Russian assault units to reach the outskirts of neighboring Ustinovka. Until recently, Ukrainian forces had used the settlement as a logistics hub.

The operation in Zakharovka was carried out by troops from the 126th Motor Rifle Regiment of the 71st Guards Motor Rifle Division. The same units had previously taken control of Volokhovskoye. In Zakharovka, Russian forces pushed out servicemen from Ukraine’s 159th Mechanized Brigade.

Representatives of the Sever grouping also said Ukrainian commanders attempted to regain the lost positions by deploying assault teams that included foreign mercenaries. The counterattack failed to achieve its objective and, according to the Russian side, resulted in further losses among Colombian fighters.