Victory in summy region as Ukraine Stops Russian Progress
According to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have successfully halted the Russian troops’ advance in the border region of Sumy and captured some 50,000 Russian servicemen.
On Thursday, June 26, Syrsky said on Telegram, “One of today’s top priorities is the defence of the Sumy region.”
Similar to its unsuccessful 2024 attempt to gain ground in the Kharkiv region, he continued, Russia’s most recent “summer offensive” from its own territory is waning based on the outcomes of fighting in May and June.
Rather, the choices we made earlier are now paying off. As of this week, the front line has stabilised and the Russian advance in the Sumy border zone has been halted, according to Syrsky.
In several parts of the Sumy region, Ukrainian soldiers are effectively carrying out active defence actions and reclaiming land.
“We have successfully pinned down approximately 50,000 Russian troops, including elite airborne and marine brigades, in the Pivnichnoslobozhanskyi and Kursk sectors,” Syrsky stated.
He went on to say that Moscow has been compelled to reallocate forces to protect its territory as a result of Ukrainian operations in the Kursk region’s Glushkovo area, which has limited its capacity to launch an offensive in the Sumy direction.
According to Syrsky, a special defence group led by Brig. Gen. Oleh Apostol has been formed for the area to strengthen defences.
In order to improve military safety and logistics, Syrsky personally inspected front-line defences and advocated for the expedited building of more fortifications, anti-drone lanes, and “kill zones.”
“I’ll be back to see how things are going by the deadlines,” Syrsky stated.
Additionally, he commended all Sumy region defenders “for their courage and professionalism – from privates to group commanders” and gave Commander-in-Chief’s commendations to top-performing soldiers.
Ukraine’s foray into Russia’s Kursk region last year began in the Sumy area. Before being driven back by Russia’s spring offensive, which was aided by North Korean soldiers, Ukrainian forces occupied portions of the region for eight months.
Since then, Moscow has advanced toward the city of Sumy, capturing several villages and prompting the mandatory evacuation of civilians. Once home to 255,000 residents before the 2022 full-scale invasion, the northern Ukrainian city now sits on the edge of renewed fighting.
However, Ukrainian forces have begun to regain ground. On June 14, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian troops had liberated the village of Andriivka, near the border in the Sumy region.
Zelensky covered a Syrsky frontline briefing that focused on recent military activities.
Zelensky stated at the time, “The Pokrovsk direction and our Sumy region, especially the border areas, are given special attention.” “We are successfully driving out Russian forces.” I am grateful to all of our units for these observable outcomes.
He had earlier claimed that Ukrainian forces had stopped more Russian advances and stabilised the Sumy front. According to him, the fiercest fighting was occurring close to Yunakivka, Kostyantynivka, Oleksiivka, Kindrativka, and Andriivka.
Russian shelling in the area has increased since June 8. Zelensky asserted that Ukrainian defences are resilient and have succeeded in marginally repelling Russian assault.
