Sumy under threat? Ukraine responds to Russian propaganda claims
Illustrative photo: Russian forces attempt to create a buffer zone in the Sumy region (Getty Images)
Russian propaganda claims that the Russian army is supposedly advancing on Sumy. In reality, the situation in the Sumy region is completely different for the enemy, according to Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation.
Kovalenko emphasized that in the Sumy region, the Russian Sever group has not achieved its objectives in 2025. Now the enemy is trying to present small incursions into abandoned villages near the border as major gains.
In some cases, these Russian attempts are stopped by Ukrainian defenders, causing the enemy heavy losses. In other locations, the Russian army tries to force a battle to give the appearance of completing the task of creating a buffer zone.
"They have already failed at this task. And importantly, their propaganda is using this, claiming it is an advance on Sumy. No, this is not an advance on Sumy," Kovalenko wrote.
Claims of advance on Sumy
Russian media reports an advance on Sumy. This way, they want to show alleged Russian troop advances in the Sumy region.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported capturing six settlements in the region.
As military expert Oleksandr Musiienko explained to RBC-Ukraine, by increasing activity in the Sumy region, Russian forces are trying to draw some Ukrainian forces away from the south and east.
The enemy is attempting to consolidate positions in small border villages.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the situation in the Sumy region, recently stated that there are no risks for the region.
