No threat of encirclement of Chasiv Yar so far - 26th Brigade's press officer

He made this statement on Espreso TV.

"Today, there is no direct threat of surrounding Chasiv Yar, although such a threat could arise in the future. The Russian troops had plans to besiege Chasiv Yar from the flanks under fire control, but these plans failed. The Russians were forced to storm the city head-on. The enemy continues to try to implement this plan, but to say they can surround Chasiv Yar from the flanks and encircle it is not true," Kalashnikov emphasized.

He added that the situation near Kalynivka remains tense.

"There is a section where the Siverskyi Donets Canal goes underground. This is the weakest point in our defense. For days and weeks, Russians have concentrated their efforts here, trying to attack us. Heavy battles are ongoing with variable success," noted Kalashnikov.

• The Russian army continues to attack the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Russian troops are advancing in the Donetsk region, particularly near Toretsk and Chasiv Yar.
• Military observer Denys Popovych commented on reports that the Russians managed to cross the Siverskyi Donets - Donbas Canal near Chasiv Yar.