Russian forces have surrounded around 1,700 Ukrainian troops in the Kharkiv region, Russia’s state-run international news agency Sputnik reported Monday, citing the Russian Defence Ministry.
The reported encirclement comes as US representatives step up diplomatic efforts to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Moscow claims that its battlefield positions are making it increasingly difficult for Ukraine to send reinforcements to the area or provide a safe route for the surrounded troops to withdraw.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, units of the Sever (North) Battlegroup are continuing operations against Ukrainian forces around the areas of Varvarovka, Malaya Volchya, Nefedovka and Chernoye.
The ministry claimed that approximately 1,700 Ukrainian soldiers are currently surrounded from all sides. It also said that it had not observed any attempts by Ukrainian forces to break out of the encirclement.
Russia further claimed that 40 Ukrainian soldiers were killed during the previous 24 hours in the sector. It said Ukrainian forces also lost an armored vehicle, two pickup trucks and three quad bikes.
The claims have not been independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian authorities regarding the reported encirclement or the casualty figures.
The battlefield claims come amid renewed diplomatic activity led by the United States. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner recently held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as part of efforts to end the conflict, which has continued for more than four years.
The Kremlin described the meeting, which lasted three hours and 10 minutes, as constructive, productive and highly candid. Following the talks, the US representatives travelled to Kyiv for further discussions with Ukrainian officials.
Russia also said Putin had ordered a three-day suspension of attacks in Ukraine in connection with the visit by the US representatives.
COMMENTS