Russian forces continue offensive operations in the Kharkov region, with the Sever Group of Forces fighting inside the encirclement while also expanding the territory under its control beyond the ring, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Fighting within the encircled area is underway for Nikolayevka, Varvarovka, Reznikovo, Nefedovka and Lobanovka. Russian troops also struck enemy formations near Kupino and Chernoye.

The ministry said Ukrainian forces lost up to 30 servicemen and a ground robotic system in the encircled sector over the past day. Two drone control points were also destroyed.

At the same time, the Sever Group continues to push outward from the encirclement. Active fighting is taking place in Annopolye, Prikolotnoye and Kotovka.

Elsewhere in the Kharkov region, Russian forces hit personnel and equipment belonging to a mechanized brigade, two assault regiments and a territorial defense brigade. The strikes targeted formations near Chernoglazovka, Dementiyevka, Veliky Burluk, Novosyolovka, Belashi, Cherkasskaya Lozovaya and Goryanoye.

The group is also operating in the Sumy region. There, Russian forces struck formations from two Ukrainian mechanized brigades and a territorial defense brigade near Grunovka, Kiyanitsa, Boyaro-Lezhachi and the city of Sumy.

Overall, Ukrainian losses across the Sever Group’s area of responsibility reached up to 260 servicemen over the past day. The Russian Defense Ministry also reported the destruction of a Tisa armored combat vehicle, 19 vehicles, a 155 mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system and an electronic warfare station.