UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Aug 29 — The Russian military is forming a new brigade to support their “Sever” [“North” — ed.] group of troops operating in the Kharkiv region, reported Vitalii Sarantsev, spokesman for the “Kharkiv” group of forces. 

Russia started its new offensive north and northeast in the Kharkiv region in May, but Ukrainian troops have stabilized the frontline in this section since. Now, heavy battles are ongoing in and around Vovchansk (three miles from the border, 46 miles away from Kharkiv) and near Lyptsi (six miles from the border, 12 miles from Kharkiv.)

According to Vitalii Sarantsev, a new volunteer brigade called “Bars” was formed following the order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation on August 21, 2024, and the instructions of the Chief of the General Staff on August 22, 2024.

The brigade will consist of three units, including Bars-Bryansk, Bars-Kursk, and Bars-Belgorod. The total number of soldiers is 4,921.

The “Kharkiv” group of forces also reported that forming volunteer units in the Russian army may be a hidden form of mobilization. According to their information, candidates often recruit from poor regions and communities of foreign nationals who do not always have relevant combat experience.

The “Kharkiv” group of forces reported that in the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops kept trying to push Ukrainian soldiers out of their positions and intensify aerial reconnaissance. However, they suffered losses while trying to regroup.

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