The Russian Defense Ministry said troops cleared the airspace of Ukrainian drones before launching the assault on Annopolye in the Kharkov direction, then struck positions of a Ukrainian motorized infantry brigade.

According to the ministry, units of the Sever group of forces approached the settlement through wooded terrain. After artillery preparation, assault teams moved into the built-up area.

The Russian troops operated in small groups of two or three soldiers, advancing from one Ukrainian strongpoint to the next. Their movements were coordinated by reconnaissance drone operators.

Military-focused channels reported that control of Annopolye allows Russian forces to tighten control over the road linking Stary Saltov with nearby settlements and complicate movement along key routes toward Chuguyev, Pechenegi and Veliky Burluk.

The same sources said the narrowing of the so-called Kharkov pocket serves two purposes: cutting Ukrainian supply routes and reducing the ability to use the border area for strikes on the Belgorod region.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces are continuing attempts to break through the outer perimeter of the encirclement.