Russian troops have taken four settlements in the Kharkov, Donetsk and Zaporozhye regions while continuing offensive operations on several sectors, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

In the Kharkov Region, units of the Sever group have taken control of Buzovo and Khizhnyakovo as they continue tightening the encirclement around blocked Ukrainian formations. Fighting is ongoing near Rublenoye and Khripuny, while strikes have also targeted Ukrainian forces near Varvarovka and Dolgenkoye.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian units trapped inside the encirclement lost more than 40 servicemen and two armored combat vehicles over the past day.

Russian troops are also expanding the area under their control outside the encirclement. Fighting continues near Petropavlovka, Prikolotnoye and Lozovaya.

Total Ukrainian losses in the Sever group’s area of responsibility reached up to 225 servicemen. One armored combat vehicle, a self-propelled artillery system and 30 vehicles were also destroyed.

Elsewhere, units of the 51st Army advanced near Dobropolye and took the village of Dobropolye Maloye in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The advance also expanded the outer perimeter of the encirclement in the area.

During the day, Russian forces repelled further attempts by units of Ukraine’s 4th and 15th National Guard brigades to break out toward Svyatogorovka. More than 45 Ukrainian servicemen were killed on this sector, while Russian troops cleared 152 buildings.

Across the Tsentr group’s area of responsibility, Ukrainian formations lost more than 375 servicemen. A tank, an armored combat vehicle, seven vehicles and two electronic warfare stations were also destroyed.

Russian troops also continued their advance in the Zaporozhye Region. Units of the Vostok group took Svetlaya Dolina and moved deeper into Ukrainian defensive positions.

Strikes targeted personnel and equipment from one mechanized brigade, two air assault brigades and two Ukrainian assault regiments near Pokrovskoye and Yablonovka in the Dnepropetrovsk Region, as well as Vladimirovka, Sofiyevka and Tarasovka in the Zaporozhye Region.

Ukrainian losses on this sector exceeded 240 servicemen. Five vehicles and one electronic warfare station were also destroyed.