Russia Captures Kovsharovka in Kharkiv Oblast; 800 Ukrainian Soldiers Reportedly Encircled; 236 Engagements

Russian forces (1st Guards Tank Army, 'West' Group) captured Kovsharovka in Kharkiv Oblast — a pre-war settlement of approximately 17,960 people, described as the largest urbanized settlement seized in this operation. Russian troops advancing from Kurilovka are consolidating control in the area. Approximately 800 Ukrainian soldiers are reportedly encircled in the Peschanoe–Kupyansk-Uzlovoi–Glushkovka salient, though Ukrainian MoD has not confirmed encirclement. On the Sloviansk axis, Russian 'South' Group is pressing from Nikiforovka toward Rai-Aleksandrovka — a key first-echelon defensive position guarding Sloviansk. On the Zaporizhzhia axis, Russian forces struck 780 times across 41 settlements near Huliaipole. A total of 236 combat engagements were recorded across the frontline on March 29 — the heaviest in the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole sectors.