Ukrainian forces report Russian attempts to break through north of Hrabovske
Illustrative photo: Russian forces entrenched in Hrabovske and attempting to break through northward (facebook.com/mod.mil.rus)
Russian forces remain in the village of Hrabovske in Ukraine’s Sumy region and have attempted to attack settlements further north. These actions appear to be efforts to probe the border, but so far without success, stated Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for Ukraine’s Joint Forces grouping.
Trehubov said Russian troops are still present in Hrabovske and have managed to consolidate there.
"As for the good news, they also tried to launch an offensive further north near the village of Pokrovka. They advanced about one kilometer, but just in recent days, the area was fully cleared, and they were pushed out. For now, they remain in Hrabovske. We’ll see how the situation develops," he said.
He explained that these were mostly sporadic attacks in different settlements across the Sumy region.
Photo: Russia attempts to attack north of Hrabovske
"It was less about pushing specifically in Hrabovske and more about attempts in Pokrovka, and some pressure near Vesele as well. It looked like probing our border," Trehubov said.
He added that Russian attacks were recorded in areas that had previously been relatively calm. According to Trehubov, the Russian forces were trying to "search for weak points," but failed to enter any settlements other than Hrabovske.
Situation along the Sumy border
On December 18, Russian forces crossed the Ukrainian border near the village of Hrabovske in the Sumy region and forcibly took residents to Russian territory. The incident involved around 50 civilians who had earlier refused evacuation deeper into Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Joint Forces said fighting for the settlement is ongoing. Ukrainian troops are attempting to push the enemy back across the state border.
According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian troops have managed to consolidate in Hrabovske, where up to 100 Russian troops, mostly contract soldiers, are currently present.
The State Border Guard Service said that after breaking into Hrabovske, Russian forces have been trying to advance deeper into the Sumy region, but without success.
