Units of Russia’s Sever group of forces are continuing combat operations in the Kharkov region. In its September 22 briefing, the Russian Defense Ministry said Russian troops had struck Ukrainian forces described as encircled near seven settlements inside the Volchansk pocket.

According to the ministry, Ukrainian personnel and equipment were targeted near Krasny Yar, Potikhonovo, Buzovo, Reznikovo, Khripuny, Varvarovka and Grachovka. The ministry said attempts by Ukrainian units to break out of the encirclement had been stopped. It put Ukrainian losses among the surrounded forces at up to 40 servicemen and one armored combat vehicle over the previous 24 hours.

Russian forces are also expanding the area under their control along the outer perimeter of the Volchansk pocket, according to the same report. Fighting is continuing near Posredneye, Novoselovka, Petropavlovka and Prikolotnoye.

The Russian Defense Ministry also reported strikes against four Ukrainian mechanized brigades, two assault regiments, a drone systems regiment, two territorial defense brigades and a National Guard brigade. Combat activity was reported near Sosnovka, Svetlichnoye, Izbitskoye, Liptsy, Mikhailovka, Kirillovka and Veliky Burluk.

Severny Veter, a Telegram channel affiliated with Russia’s Sever group of forces, estimated the Volchansk pocket at 329 square kilometers. According to the channel, Russian assault units advanced 250 meters through forest belts on the Liptsy sector over the course of a day.

On the Volchansk sector, the channel said Russian troops were continuing to expand their zone of control after taking Novoalexandrovka and Polnaya while maintaining pressure on Ukrainian units described as surrounded.

On the Veliky Burluk sector, Severny Veter reported that Russian forces were dividing the Ukrainian grouping in the eastern part of the pocket into smaller sections, which were then being targeted by aviation and artillery.