A large Ukrainian force has been encircled in the northeastern part of the Kharkov Region. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, around 1,700 Ukrainian troops are trapped inside the pocket. War correspondent Alexander Kots said the force includes six battalions and four border command units.

Russia’s Sever Group of Forces continues its advance in the area, with fighting reported near Varvarovka, Malaya Volchya, Nefedovka and Chernoye. Russian units advancing from converging directions linked up north of Prikolotnoye, cutting off the Ukrainian troops stationed inside the encircled zone.

The pocket covers more than 460 square kilometers. It contains six battalions from Ukraine’s 22nd and 159th Separate Mechanized Brigades, along with four border command units from the 15th Border Detachment.

Ukrainian forces have lost around 2,500 troops during the fighting in this sector, as well as three multiple launch rocket systems, 15 field artillery guns and more than 30 armored combat vehicles. Another 23 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered, Kots said.

Supply lines into the encircled area have been severed, cutting off routes used to bring in ammunition and food. Ukrainian units are also unable to organize a withdrawal from the pocket. Attempts by Ukrainian forces to break through the encirclement from outside are being stopped by Russian troops.

Eliminating the surrounded force will push the line of contact more than 20 kilometers away from the border areas of the Belgorod Region.

The operation will also free up forces from the Sever Group for further advances toward Prikolotnoye and Veliky Burluk. Both settlements are key logistics points for Ukrainian forces, with supply routes running through them to troops operating in the Kupyansk direction.