Russia trying to expand offensive in Ukraine's Sumy region: Details
Photo: SBGS spokesman Andriy Demchenko (facebook.com)
Russian troops continue to try to advance deeper into the Sumy region, using small infantry assault groups, according to the State Border Service of Ukraine spokesperson, Andrii Demchenko.
According to him, Russia is not using armored vehicles, but is actively engaging infantry, which is moving on ATVs and motorcycles.
The goal is to quickly break through into Ukrainian territory, consolidate positions, and wait for reinforcements.
"If earlier such tactics were observed only in the direction of the settlements of Basivka and Zhuravka, recently there has been an expansion of the directions in which Russians are trying to advance with small assault groups, in particular, in the direction of the settlements of Veselivka and Volodymyrivka," Demchenko explains.
He emphasizes that the line of active combat operations in this direction remains limited, given the total length of the border in the region, more than 550 km.
At the same time, it is in the Sumy region that the most Russian attempts at sabotage and reconnaissance groups to infiltrate are recorded.
"Saboteurs usually operate either in the north of the Sumy region, closer to Chernihiv, or further south, closer to Kharkiv. But most sabotage and reconnaissance groups' attempts to enter are recorded within the border of the Sumy region," adds the State Border Service of Ukraine spokesperson.
Russian summer offensive
According to the Washington Post, a large-scale offensive will be concentrated in the eastern part of the Donetsk region. And this summer may be Vladimir Putin's last chance for a major offensive, the agency notes.
A US representative told CNN that the likely offensive will be aimed at conquering more territory in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's Vladimir Putin announced on May 22 plans to seize part of Ukraine's territory on the border.
