Tensions escalate in Ukraine's Sumy region as Russian forces capture several villages
The Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding the line in the Sumy region (Getty Images)
Russian forces have captured several border villages in Ukraine's Sumy region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding the line and preventing the enemy from advancing, according to Oleh Hryhorov, head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration.
He noted that, as of today, Russian forces control the settlements of Novenke and Basivka in the Yunakivka community, as well as Veselivka and Zhuravka in the Khotin community, all located in Ukraine's Sumy region. Residents of these villages had been evacuated earlier, and there is currently no threat to the civilian population.
"The enemy continues attempts to advance in order to create a so-called buffer zone. Fighting is ongoing on the outskirts of the village of Vodolaha and near Volodymyrivka, Bilovody, Kostiantynivka, and Kindrativka in the Khotin community, as well as on the outskirts of Loknya in the Yunakivka community," Hryhorov added.
The head of the Regional Military Administration added that Ukraine's Defense Forces, along with all components of the defense system, are keeping the situation under control and delivering precise fire strikes on the enemy.
"Our defenders are firmly repelling enemy attacks and preventing them from advancing deeper into the Sumy region," he added.
Russian offensive on Sumy region
In recent days, several media outlets reported the start of a Russian offensive on Ukraine’s Sumy region, including claims of a breakthrough by Russian forces into the village of Yunakivka. However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine denied these reports, calling them fake.
Ivan Tymochko, head of the Council of Reservists of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, stated that Russian troops do not have sufficient forces to launch a large-scale offensive in the Sumy region.
Meanwhile, the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) does not rule out the possibility that Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to seize the city of Sumy and parts of the region in order to create a buffer zone along the Ukrainian-Russian border.
