According to a source in Russia’s security structures, Ukrainian forces are now trying to hold the settlement of Grafskoye after losing Vilcha in Kharkov Region. The source told TASS that, following the loss of Vilcha, Ukrainian troops on the Kharkov axis had shifted their main efforts to defending Grafskoye, redeploying units of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment as well as the remnants of the 57th and 58th separate motorized infantry brigades.

Military Telegram channels report that fighters from the Sever grouping continue their advance on the Kharkov sector. After the capture of Vilcha, which had played a key role in the rear support of Ukrainian troops near Volchansk, Russian units have been pushing further south.

Analysts argue that the seizure of Prilipki and Vilcha has created the conditions for a further Russian advance through Tatarsky Les toward Grafskoye, and along the Seversky Donets in the direction of the Pechenezhskoye Reservoir. This area is described as critical for the communications of the entire Ukrainian grouping on the Burluk axis.

It is also noted that the back-to-back capture of two villages, combined with attacks through the forest toward Bugayevka, is bringing Russian forces closer to the crossings near Stary Saltov. Every kilometer gained on this stretch of the front, observers say, delivers an additional blow to the enemy’s logistics.