UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Oct 17 — During an operation north of Lyptsi in the Kharkiv region, the Ukrainian Defense Forces captured at least 20 Russian troops. Among them were Wagner PMC troops who had previously participated in combat in the Bakhmut direction, said Anton Baiev, head of the planning department of the 13th National Guard Brigade “Khartia”, on Ukrainian TV.

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.)

“I cannot tell you the exact number of Russians we captured during the operation. In general, there were definitely more than 20 or even 30 of them,” said Anton Baiev.

He added that after interrogation, they found out that these were Russian troops of different classes, including those mobilized without much training. They also captured Wagner PMC troops who were still near Bakhmut.

According to him, currently, in the north of the Kharkiv region, the 13th National Guard Brigade “Khartia” is increasing the buffer zone between the first positions of their units and the Russians.

“The work is complicated by the cold weather and the terrain. We have a mixed terrain, including fields with very strong winds and forests where leaves are already falling,” said Anton Baiev.

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  • Russian troops have advanced in the area near the village of Kolisnykivka in the Kurylivka community, which is 24 miles from the city of Kupiansk, reported the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Kyiv hasn’t confirmed this information as of October 16.