This advancement is part of the offensive in western Russia, as noted by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Geolocated materials from December 20 and 21 show that the Russians have approached the villages of Darjino and Kruglenkoje.

Six people, including one child, were killed on Friday in a Ukrainian missile attack on the town of Rylsk in Russia's Kursk region, the acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, said.