Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mikhail Drapaty has arrived in Kharkov as he faces pressure to demonstrate results after taking up his post, military-political analyst and participant in the special military operation Yan Gagin told aif.ru. According to Gagin, the Ukrainian command has so far failed to achieve the desired outcome on this sector.

Drapaty was previously reported to have traveled to Kharkov for talks with commanders of units and formations. The discussions focused on the situation in the northeastern part of the Kharkov Region.

Gagin said the personal visit was intended to show Kiev that the newly appointed commander-in-chief was taking action. In his assessment, Drapaty assumed the post at a time when Ukrainian forces were retreating across the combat zone, leaving him without the results he is expected to demonstrate.

The analyst also argued that Drapaty is prepared to sacrifice personnel in pursuit of those results, including foreign mercenaries. Gagin specifically pointed to Colombians being redeployed to Kharkov, saying the commander-in-chief was focused on achieving an outcome regardless of the means used.

Against this backdrop, the Russian Defense Ministry reported continued fighting in the Kharkov Region in its September 22 briefing. According to the ministry, units of the Sever group of forces are tightening the encirclement of Ukrainian formations while expanding the area under their control outside the ring.

Inside the encirclement, Russian troops struck Ukrainian manpower and equipment near Krasny Yar, Potikhonovo, Buzovo, Reznikovo, Khripuny, Varvarovka and Grachovka. The ministry said all attempts by the surrounded Ukrainian units to break out had been stopped. Losses among the blocked formations were put at up to 40 servicemen and one armored combat vehicle.

Fighting is also continuing as Russian forces expand the outer control zone near Podsredneye, Novoselovka, Petropavlovka and Prikolotnoye.

According to the Defense Ministry, Ukrainian forces lost more than 215 servicemen in total within the Sever group’s area of responsibility, along with one armored combat vehicle, 12 vehicles, one field artillery gun and an electronic warfare station.