UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Jul. 2  — Russian troops continue to attempt infiltration using small assault groups and are trying to gain positions near the state border north of the Kharkiv oblast in the Kozacha Lopan direction, said Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the group of forces responsible for Kharkiv oblast, to Gwara Media.

Two weeks ago, Trehubov reported on the Russian first attempts to advance from the Russia-Ukraine border near Hraniv village toward Kozacha Lopan settlement.

According to him, Ukrainian troops managed to stop and repel some of the Russian infantry groups, but they keep trying to infiltrate, so the situation remains unstable.

“The Russians want to establish control zones along the border. They are trying to seize small pieces of land right next to the border. They use this tactic along the entire state border,” added Trehubov.

On Jul. 1, the 425th Assault Regiment, known as Skelia, said its assault units repelled a Russian offensive in Kozacha Lopan and cleared the border area.

In June, Ukrainian journalists published an investigative report into the Skelia regiment, in which they noted possible cases of abuse, torture, and at least 26 non-combat deaths among service members.

Skelia’s command confirmed 25 of the 26 non-combat deaths, but stated that each case requires a “separate review” and official investigation.

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