Yesterday, Chechen Leader Kadyrov posted to his Telegram that the Chechen Special Forces Akhmat Regiment, aided Russian Ground Forces and the 2nd Corps of the Luhansk Peoples Republic Militia in seizing Metolkine which is a southwestern suburb of Severodonetsk.

That report was “corroborated” by Russian state owned media which reported earlier today that Russian Ground Forces aided Luhansk Peoples Republic forces in seizing the suburb. According to them, the Russian Ministry of Defense had this to say: “”The offensive in the Severodonetsk direction is developing successfully. The units of the People’s Militia of the Luhansk People’s Republic , with the support of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, have liberated the settlement of Metelkino.”

The Ukrainian General Staff has not published any report to refute the loss, so if true, this would be a devastating loss for the Ukrainian Ground Forces since this village was a major gate keeping establishment keeping Russian forces from the Donets river. Three hours ago Kadyrov’s telegram reported their forces were clearing out the village for unexplored ordinance and any remaining Ukrainian troops.

There are said to be more than 3,000 Ukrainian troops in the Azot Chemically  Plant in Severodonetsk, so major losses like this village present a dangerous opportunity for Russian forces to encircle those forces and throw Ukrainian troops across the river to Lysychansk.