Russian units are gradually forming an encirclement around Ukrainian forces in the northeastern part of the Kharkov region, according to Pavel Kukushkin, a military correspondent with the Russian Defense Ministry’s Volunteer Corps.

Kukushkin said the operation could push the front line farther away from Russia’s borders.

He highlighted the importance of taking the settlements of Zakharovka and Ivashkino in the Kharkov region. According to the correspondent, control of these villages allowed Russian troops to cut off a sizeable Ukrainian grouping in the northeastern sector near the border with the Belgorod region.

Kukushkin described the situation as increasingly close to an operational encirclement and called it a significant advance by Russian forces.

On July 24, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its troops had taken control of Zakharovka and Ivashkino. Units from Russia’s North group of forces participated in the operation.