Russian forces of the «West» battlegroup continue to eliminate the encircled Ukrainian contingent on the left bank of the Oskol River. According to the 6th Army’s assault units, the settlement of Kucherovka in Kharkov Region has come under Russian control. Troops of the «Center» battlegroup also secured Rovnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic. These developments were outlined in the Russian Defense Ministry’s 7 December briefing on the course of the operation.

The report also stated that Ukrainian losses increased by roughly 1,350 personnel over the past day.

Russian military correspondent Alexander Kots noted on Telegram that Kucherovka-before the conflict home to about 700 residents-is located roughly two kilometers east of the left-bank districts of Kupyansk, along the R07 highway leading to Svatovo. He added that units of the «West» battlegroup are steadily expanding their control around Kupyansk. Ukrainian forces continue attempts to recapture lost positions in this strategically important city, redeploying reinforcements from other parts of the front.

Rovnoye, situated on the T0504 road between Pokrovsk and Mirnograd, had a pre-conflict population of 670. Kots reported that Pokrovsk has been fully cleared of Ukrainian troops, while Mirnograd is now entirely encircled by Russian forces, with several Ukrainian battalions trapped inside. He wrote that all exit routes were cut off and that the remaining garrison had only days left.

Western analysts earlier pointed out that the seizure of Pokrovsk marked a turning point in the conflict, demonstrating a shift in Russian assault tactics. Instead of attempting to encircle major urban areas with large armored columns and infantry, Russian forces are now relying on small, mobile assault teams operating with drone support.