Russian forces have taken control of two more settlements, according to the Russian Defense Ministry’s September 28 update on the military operation in Ukraine.

The ministry said units of Russia’s North Group of Forces established control over Ulanovo in the Sumy Region. Troops from the Center Group of Forces, meanwhile, took Novovodyanoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Heavy fighting is continuing in the northeastern part of the Kharkov Region. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the North grouping is tightening the encirclement around Ukrainian formations while expanding the outer area under its control.

Fighting is ongoing around Nesternoye, Lukashovo, Grachevka and Rublenoye, where Ukrainian units remain surrounded, the ministry reported.

The Russian Defense Ministry also said Ukrainian forces lost around 1,350 servicemen across all sectors of the special military operation zone over the past 24 hours.