Russia says its forces took Varvarovka and Nikolaevka in Kharkiv region
In short
Russia's Defence Ministry said on 16 October that troops of its "Sever" (North) group of forces had taken control of the villages of Varvarovka (Варваровка) and Nikolaevka (Николаевка) in Kharkiv region. In its statement the ministry said control was established "yesterday". It also said the group had taken eight settlements in Kharkiv region during the week, and it released video it said showed the operations.
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Russia's Defence Ministry said on Friday, 16 October, that Russian forces had taken control of the villages of Varvarovka and Nikolaevka in Kharkiv region. "Yesterday control was established over the settlements of Varvarovka and Nikolaevka of Kharkiv region," the ministry's statement said, according to Interfax. Kommersant and Vedomosti reported that troops of the North group of forces carried out the operation. TASS described the villages as "liberated" over the past day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The ministry said Russian forces had taken control of 12 settlements in the conflict zone during the week. Kommersant reported the ministry as saying the North group had taken eight settlements in Kharkiv region in that time. Interfax listed six of them besides the two villages: Lukashovo, Lobanovka, Reznikovo, Kupino, Nefedovka and Chernoye. The ministry also said the Centre group took Novotroitskoye, Petrovskoye and Lidino in the Donetsk People's Republic, and the Vostok group took Nikolskoye in Zaporizhzhia region. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to the ministry, the North group "continued to tighten the ring of encirclement" of Ukrainian formations in north-eastern Kharkiv region, and "all attempts by the enemy to break out of the encirclement have been stopped". It said the group's actions in Kharkiv and Sumy regions over the week cost Ukrainian forces more than 1,675 servicemen, five armoured combat vehicles, 82 motor vehicles, three field artillery pieces and eight electronic warfare stations. [ 3 ]
Vedomosti reported that on 15 October the ministry had announced control of Nefedovka and Chernoye and spoken of fighting for Varvarovka and Nikolaevka. On 11 October the ministry reported taking Reznikovo and Kupino, a day after announcing control of Lukashovo and Lobanovka. [ 4 ]
The ministry later released video it said showed the taking of Nikolaevka, with footage of the group's artillery and drones at work, and footage of the taking of Varvarovka showing North group troops at work, TASS reported. One Kommersant subheading placed the villages in Zaporizhzhia region, while its main text and the other outlets said Kharkiv region. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The ministry presented the two villages as part of a weekly advance in which it said Russian forces took 12 settlements across the conflict zone. It also said the North group was tightening an encirclement of Ukrainian forces in north-eastern Kharkiv region. These figures and claims come from the Russian Defence Ministry.
Key facts
- The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces took control of Varvarovka and Nikolaevka in Kharkiv region. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ministry said troops of the North group of forces established control. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The ministry's statement said control over the two villages was established "yesterday". [ 3 ]
- According to the ministry, the North group took eight settlements in Kharkiv region during the week. [ 2 ]
- The ministry said Russian forces took control of 12 settlements in the conflict zone during the week. [ 3 ]
- The ministry released video it said showed the taking of Nikolaevka and Varvarovka. [ 5 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Russian Defence Ministry announced that Russian forces had taken control of Varvarovka and Nikolaevka in Kharkiv region. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ministry attributed the capture to the North group of forces. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The ministry released footage of the taking of Nikolaevka and Varvarovka. [ 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the two villages are in Kharkiv or Zaporizhzhia region. One Kommersant subheading places them in Zaporizhzhia region, while its headline, its text and all other outlets say Kharkiv region.
- Ukrainian losses and the encirclement described by the ministry. These figures and claims come only from the Russian Defence Ministry and are not independently confirmed in the documents.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Russian forces took Varvarovka and Nikolaevka in Kharkiv region over the past day. [ 1 ]
- Kommersant reports the ministry statement and the North group's eight settlements in a week. [ 2 ]
- Interfax publishes the ministry's weekly summary, including 12 settlements taken. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti reports the capture with background on earlier announcements. [ 4 ]
- TASS reports the ministry has shown video of the taking of Nikolaevka. [ 5 ]
- TASS reports the ministry has shown footage of the taking of Varvarovka. [ 6 ]