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Russian troops continue to push forward in Ukraine’s Sumy region, securing new settlements and tightening their grip on key supply routes in what appears to be a deliberate effort to establish a buffer zone along the border. Following the liberation of Vladimirovka, Loknya, and Belovody, Russian assault units have now taken control of Konstantinovka, further expanding their zone of control. This advance, officially confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry on May 28th, signals a steady erosion of Ukrainian defensive lines in the area.
Their victory in the border village of Konstantinovka carries strategic implications, increasing Russian fire control of the Sumy area, located just 20 kilometers away. If Russian troops continue their westward push, particularly toward the village of Khoten and crossroads there, they could effectively impose a drone blockade on Sumy, disrupting Ukrainian supply lines and isolating the city from reinforcement routes.
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The Ukrainian military, already stretched thin by fighting on multiple fronts, has reportedly diverted some reserve units from the Sumy sector to shore up defenses near Pokrovsk and Konstantinovka in the DPR. Such redeployment has left additional gaps for Russian forces to exploit.
Russian strikes in Sumy region:
Nearby, Russian units are making gains near the villages of Alekseevka and Yunakovka, where fierce fighting has erupted on the outskirts. The recent fall of Belovody, which Ukrainian forces abandoned in disarray, leaving behind thier dead and wounded, has deprived Kyiv of a critical highway previously used for troop and supply movements. With Russian troops now advancing west of the Sudzha-Yunakovka road, are already advancing in Yunakovka itself, which is a logistical hub for Ukrainian forces in the region. Securing this settlement would grant Russian artillery control over key transit routes, further complicating Ukraine’s ability to reinforce its positions. LINK
The broader Russian strategy in Sumy region aligns with President Vladimir Putin’s stated goal of creating a buffer zone to protect Russian border regions from Ukrainian attacks. This effort is already underway, with Moscow’s forces systematically destroying Ukrainian strongholds in the settlements along the frontier. Ukrainian defenses in the region are showing signs of strain. Suffering from a growing shortage of reserves, as Ukrainian commanders scramble to contain Russian momentum across multiple axes.
