Ukraine is close to closing the ring around the Seym River. Up to 3,000 Russian soldiers are trapped inside the ring.

Axar.az reports that this was stated by Julian Röpke, an analyst at "Bild" publication.

According to him, on August 16, Ukrainian forces began blowing up bridges over the Seym River to the north of Glushkovsky district in Kursk region:

"This could cut off the Russian troops' advance, as the area is surrounded by Ukrainian territory from the west and south. In response, Russia is organizing pontoon crossings and an air bridge and is defending the remaining crossing in the east. The day before, Ukrainian Armed Forces captured the villages of Snagost and Apanasovka. They are 5 km away from the Seym River and closing the encirclement."

Röpke writes, citing Ukrainian sources, that about 2,000 to 3,000 Russian soldiers are trapped in the encirclement:

"On the south and west of the ring, the border between Russia and Ukraine is being prepared for defense. But if Ukrainian Armed Forces launch an attack from the east, Russian defense will be challenging. Additionally, to the west, Ukrainians have already crossed the border and taken control of a small 15-square-kilometer area of Russian territory up to the Seym River. There is also the Otruba hamlet. The Russians now have a simple choice: either fight and defend the area or withdraw. It appears that both choices are disastrous. However, it must be said honestly that this battle is not decisive. We do not know how much strength Ukraine still has."