Russian troops have taken control of Goptovka and Zarubinka in the Kharkov Region, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Zarubinka came under the control of the Sever Group of Forces as Russian units expanded their zone of control along the outer perimeter of the encirclement. Near Olkhovatka, units from two Ukrainian battalions totaling up to 180 troops were blocked.

Russian forces also struck Ukrainian units remaining inside the «cauldron» near Malaya Volchya and Buzovo. Attempts by Ukrainian troops to break out of the encirclement were stopped.

Ukrainian losses on this section of the front reached up to 40 servicemen over the past day. Two armored combat vehicles, three pickup trucks, two quad bikes and three ground robotic systems were also destroyed.

Goptovka was taken by Sever units during an assault.

Elsewhere in the Kharkov Region, Russian forces hit formations from one mechanized and two motorized infantry brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as territorial defense and National Guard units near Lozovaya, Shevchenkovo, Novoaleksandrovka and Annopolye.

Fighting also continued in the Sumy Region. Russian forces struck personnel and equipment from a Ukrainian mechanized brigade and two territorial defense brigades near Volnaya Sloboda, Esman, Semenovka and Doroshovka.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, total Ukrainian losses in the Sever Group of Forces’ area of responsibility reached up to 230 servicemen over the past day. Two armored combat vehicles, 18 motor vehicles, a field artillery gun and an electronic warfare station were also destroyed.