Ukrainian forces surrounded the Russian group in the Lyman area, five settlements near the city were liberated, said Serhiy Cherevaty, the spokesman of the Eastern Group of Forces.

 "The Russian group in the Liman area is surrounded. The settlements of Yampil, Novoselivka, Shandrygolovo, Drobyshevo, Stavky have been liberated, stabilization measures are ongoing there," Cherevaty said on the air of the telethon on Saturday.

 According to him, the exact number of Russians who were surrounded in the Lyman area will be known later after the analysis, but the data indicated "somewhere around 5-5.5 thousand".

 "Indeed, our data showed that the Russian group numbered around 5,000-5,500. But active hostilities "minus" their combat composition, as well as some groups that tried to break through," Cherevy said.

 He also noted that the occupiers are trying to break through, but their attempts are unsuccessful due to the actions of the Armed Forces.