Russia’s Defense Ministry said Russian forces had completed clearing a smaller encirclement area on the Kharkov front.

According to the ministry, Russian units are currently fighting for control of four villages in the Kharkov Region: Varvarovka, Nikolayevka, Lobanovka and Reznikovo.

The ministry said units of Russia’s Sever group of forces were tightening the encirclement around Ukrainian formations in the northeastern part of the region while also expanding the outer zone under their control. It added that Russian troops had completed clearing a smaller encircled area north of Rublenoye.

The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that Ukrainian forces inside the encirclement had lost more than 35 servicemen over the past 24 hours. It said a combat armored vehicle, two vehicles and two ground-based robotic systems had also been destroyed.

On the Kharkov front, Russian forces also struck personnel and equipment belonging to Ukrainian mechanized and motorized infantry brigades, a drone systems brigade and an assault regiment, according to the ministry.

Russian troops are continuing to expand their outer control zone, the ministry said. Heavy fighting is ongoing near Prikolotnoye, Kotovka and Annopolye.