Offensive or bluff? Military explains Russia's activity in Ukraine's Sumy region
Illustrative photo: Russian troops are active in the Sumy region (Getty Images)
Russian forces are using increased military activity in the Sumy region in an effort to force Ukraine to redeploy troops from other directions, stated Oleksandr Yarmosh, deputy commander of the 71st Separate Airmobile Brigade of the 8th Air Assault Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Read also: Ukraine reacts to reports of Russia preparing spring offensive in the south
He was asked to comment on rumors that Russian forces may be preparing an offensive in the Sumy region.
"It is imitation noise designed to create the picture they want, so that we redeploy certain reserves - units or even entire brigades - from other directions," Yarmosh said.
According to him, Russia would then aim to strike at a section of the front where Ukrainian defenses have been weakened.
Yarmosh also said Russian forces have now attempted twice to use an underground pipeline to break into the Sumy region.
"Both the first and second attempts were completely unsuccessful, with nearly 100% of the Russian troops destroyed," he said.
During the second attempt, he added, Russian forces tried to make a hole in the pipeline about 100 meters from the site of the previous failed incursion.
In Yarmosh’s view, the enemy is trying to replicate tactics that brought it limited success during the fighting around Avdiivka in 2024.
"Captured soldiers tell us that they have a better chance of surviving during assault operations than if they retreat after a failed mission," Yarmosh said.
Rumors of an offensive in the Sumy region
Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russian forces are simulating an offensive in the northern border areas of Ukraine.
In February 2026, Russia’s Ministry of Defense circulated claims that the village of Sydorivka in the Sumy region had been captured, though there is no visual confirmation of this.
Analysts note that Russia uses even personnel from its Strategic Missile Forces for these assault operations and is actively spreading fake reports of capturing border villages, such as Hrabovske, Komarivka, and Popivka.
