On the Volchansk direction in Kharkiv Oblast, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted to counterattack from the outer side of the encirclement. As RIA Novosti was told in Russian security structures, these actions brought no success: the units withdrew to their initial positions, having suffered losses.
According to a representative of Russian security structures, the Ukrainian command continues to mass armored vehicles in order to try to break through the encirclement ring. In addition, the 425th separate assault regiment "Skala" is receiving reinforcements from training centers to prepare for an assault.
In early September, fighters of "Sever" closed the ring around about 1,700 Ukrainian servicemen in this region. Vladimir Putin stated that the area of the pocket is 460 square kilometers and covers 27 populated areas. The elimination of this pocket will make it possible to push the line of combat contact back by at least 20 kilometers from the border districts of Belgorod Oblast.