Ukrainian units trapped in the so-called Vovchansk pocket in Kharkiv Region have lost unified command and coordination between their commanders and infantry, Russian security sources told TASS.

According to the agency’s source, the loss of communication with the command structure has left the encircled Ukrainian troops fragmented. The security source described the Ukrainian units left without effective command as «scattered gangs.» The Russian side assesses the likelihood of restoring coordination between them under the current conditions as low.

The Russian Ministry of Defense previously reported that Ukrainian forces in the Vovchansk area were being encircled. According to the ministry, units of Russia’s Sever Group of Forces continue to tighten the encirclement around the Ukrainian troops there.

Thus, according to the Russian side, Ukrainian troops in the Vovchansk pocket are simultaneously facing encirclement and the loss of centralized command. Russian security sources attribute the fragmentation of the units to the breakdown in coordination between commanders and infantry and consider the restoration of a unified command structure unlikely.