Russia forms new brigade to support its troops in Kharkiv region

Vitaliy Sarantsev, a spokesman for the Kharkiv operational and tactical group, reported.

According to him, the formation of a new volunteer brigade called Bars was initiated in accordance with the order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation of August 21 and the instructions of the chief of the General Staff of August 22.

It will consist of three separate detachments: Bars-Bryansk, Bars-Kursk and Bars-Belgorod, with a total of 4,921 soldiers. 

The colonel stressed that the newly formed brigade will be tasked with supporting the North grouping of troops.

The Kharkiv operational and tactical group's press service suggests that the formation of volunteer units in the Russian army is a hidden form of mobilization, with candidates recruited most often from poor regions and foreign nationals who do not always have relevant combat experience.

• Since the beginning of the day, 195 combat engagements have taken place on the frontline. Russian forces are focusing their main offensive efforts on the Pokrovsk direction.