According to several social media videos and accounts from Ukrainian military and pro-Russian social media channels, Ukrainian forces are advancing deep into Russian-occupied areas of the Kharkiv region in the country’s northeast.
The Russian 202nd Motorized Rifle Regiment, “located in the Kharkiv region, moved away from their positions and into the nearby forest. The unit was without commanders and communications,” Ukrainian intelligence said.
Ukrainian forces advanced 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) to the east and entered Russian-held territory on an expanding front, threatening to cut off Russian forces to the south around Izium.
The intelligence directorate said Russian soldiers “contacted relatives with requests to contact the command and find out where to go next. Some of them are asking their wives to contact the hotlines of the Ministry of Defense of Russia and the Red Cross. The territory of Ukraine.”
It did not provide any evidence for the claim.
The directorate said the Russians charged the flamethrowers in an attempt to halt the Ukrainian advance, but “suffered heavy losses, abandoned their positions and retreated in small groups.”
“Because of the lack of logistics, they retreat in disorder.”
The directorate also said that “the 237th Guards Air Assault Regiment of the Russian Federation was terminated due to the death or injury of all servicemen.”
A pro-Russian Telegram channel called Kharkiv People’s Republic said a “really large force” of Russian reserves had been deployed and had “managed to repulse the AFU’s attack”. [Ukrainian forces] On Horokhovatka and to prevent the cutting of the bridge Izium – Borova.”
It acknowledged fighting in the area and said Ukrainian forces were advancing south towards Issia.
The channel said civilians were being evacuated from both Izium and Izium, which has been a key focus of the Russian offensive southward into Donetsk region since April. It said evacuations of civilians from Kubyansk, a key point for Russian redeployment, were also continuing.
“The Russian armed forces are preparing to defend and blockade the settlements,” it said.
The channel also acknowledged that a Russian command post near Kubyansk had been hit and a bridge disabled.
It concluded that it was a “very optimistic scenario”. [Russian] The armed forces command was to create an encirclement of Ukrainian forces, but the Ukrainian tactic of using small, maneuverable groups was effective, he said, adding that “if they manage to gain a position, it will be very difficult to recapture those captured”. Territories.”
According to Geolocation and reports from the Ukrainian military, independent analysts and Russian military bloggers, Ukrainian forces are estimated to have captured 400 square kilometers of territory in the Kharkiv region this week.
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