Russia’s Defense Ministry said around 1,700 Ukrainian troops are currently encircled in the Kharkov region. According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces lost up to 40 personnel, one armored combat vehicle, two pickup trucks and three quad bikes in the area over the past day.
The ministry said the surrounded group had not attempted to break out.
It added that units of Russia’s North group continue striking Ukrainian formations near Varvarovka, Malaya Volchya, Nefedovka and Chernoye.
The Defense Ministry also reported strikes on key elements of Ukrainian transport and logistics infrastructure over the past 24 hours. Russian forces targeted supply routes and equipment storage sites, including hangars containing drones and components used for their assembly.
Military channels say the situation across the Kharkov direction remains tense, with active fighting continuing along almost the entire front line.
Analysts believe the Ukrainian command may try to break through the encirclement toward the Veliky Burluk salient. According to the reports, units from at least two Ukrainian brigades, an SSO battalion and a border guard detachment are fully surrounded.