Russian troops have taken control of Olkhovatka in the Kharkov Region and are continuing offensive operations against Ukrainian forces trapped east of the settlement, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

According to the ministry, units of the Sever group are reducing the area still held by the Ukrainian Armed Forces inside the encirclement while expanding their positions along its outer perimeter. Ukrainian attempts to break out of the ring over the past day were stopped.

War correspondent Alexander Kots said the capture of Olkhovatka removed the last vulnerable section on the southern side of the encirclement that has formed in the northeastern part of the Kharkov Region. The Defense Ministry estimates that up to 1,700 Ukrainian troops are trapped there, along with around 15 settlements that remain under Ukrainian control.

Kots said storming and clearing the enclosed area would take time, while the chances of the surrounded units escaping would continue to shrink. He also pointed to the seasonal change, noting that autumn will thin out vegetation and make forest belts less effective as cover.

Fighting is also continuing near Malaya Volchya. Russian forces struck Ukrainian manpower in the areas of Khripuny and Buzovo.

The Defense Ministry said Ukrainian losses inside the encirclement reached up to 35 servicemen over the past 24 hours. Since the beginning of September, up to 490 Ukrainian troops have been killed there, along with 13 armored combat vehicles, eight pickup trucks, 13 quad bikes and 21 unmanned ground systems.

Russian units also expanded the outer zone of control, hitting Ukrainian forces near Prikolotnoye, Novoalexandrovka and Petropavlovka.

Two Ukrainian assault groups were also destroyed while attempting to counterattack near Kazachya Lopan, according to the ministry.

Russian strikes also targeted concentrations of manpower and equipment belonging to a tank brigade, a mechanized brigade, a motorized infantry brigade, an assault regiment and two territorial defense brigades. The strikes were reported near Zolochev, Martynovka, Chernoglazovka, Metallovka and Revolyutsionnoye in the Kharkov Region.