A source in Russian security agencies said troops from the Sever force group had defeated Ukrainian border guard detachments near Bely Kolodez on the Kharkov front. The units were reportedly staffed mainly by officers.

According to the source, relatives of Ukrainian border guards had begun posting on social media more than a month earlier about the critical situation facing Ukrainian forces in the settlement. By that stage, Russian troops had already taken control of key supply routes.

During the assault, Russian forces faced units from Ukraine’s 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade and 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, as well as the officer-heavy border guard detachments.

The operation against the encircled Ukrainian units was completed by troops from the 128th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 71st Guards Motorized Rifle Division of the Sever force group.

On August 3, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that Bely Kolodez in the Kharkov Region had come under Russian control. Defence Minister Andrey Belousov said the troops involved had shown courage and bravery during heavy fighting with Ukrainian formations.