Russian troops have taken control of Polnaya and Novoaleksandrovka in the Kharkov Region while continuing to expand the territory around the encircled Ukrainian units, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

According to the ministry, the Sever Group of Forces is tightening the encirclement while advancing along its outer perimeter. Ukrainian personnel and equipment were hit near Buzovo, Krasny Yar, Reznikovo, Varvarovka and Khripuny inside the surrounded area.

The ministry said the blocked Ukrainian formations lost more than 35 servicemen. A combat armored vehicle, an artillery piece and a ground-based robotic system were also destroyed.

Fighting is continuing outside the encirclement near Petropavlovka and Prikolotnoye. Russian forces also stopped three attempts to move Ukrainian reinforcements from Veliky Burluk toward Olkhovatka.

Novoaleksandrovka is located in the Volchansk urban community of Chuguyev District. Around 1,000 people lived in the settlement before the fighting began. It lies roughly four kilometers south of Verovka, which the Russian Defense Ministry reported taken on July 31. The assault on Novoaleksandrovka was carried out by troops of the 128th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 44th Army Corps.

Polnaya is a village in the Polnyansky village council of Volchansk District in the Kharkov Region, with a population of about 220 before the fighting began. It is roughly seven kilometers from Beliy Kolodez, which the Russian Defense Ministry said came under Russian control on August 3. Polnaya was taken by assault units of the 82nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 69th Motorized Rifle Division of the 6th Guards Combined Arms Army.

War correspondent Alexander Kots said the Russian advances at the two locations, about 15 kilometers apart, are part of a single tactical plan. In his assessment, the Sever Group of Forces is expanding the territory under its control south of Beliy Kolodez.

Kots identified Prikolotnoye, which remains under Ukrainian control, as the next objective in this sector. He said taking the settlement would allow Russian troops to advance toward Veliky Burluk. According to Kots, the town is an important Ukrainian logistics hub used, among other purposes, to supply Ukrainian forces operating near Kupyansk.