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The Sumy region is coming under Russia’s northern offensive, with Ukrainian forces increasingly unable to stem the advance of Russian troops. What began as localized border clashes has now escalated into a full-scale push to dismantle Ukrainian defensive lines and sever vital supply routes.
Russian forces are methodically advancing toward Yunakovka, a key logistical hub for Ukrainian operations near the Russian border and recently in the Kursk region. Russian troops are advancing in Loknya and launched assault on Basovka.
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Attacks on a wide front from multiple directions, including Vladimirovka, Zhuravka, and Basovka, have stretched Ukrainian defenses thin, forcing Kyiv to throw hastily assembled units into desperate counterattacks. One such attempt near Basovka, involving six armored vehicles and two platoons of motorized infantry, was swiftly repelled by Russian forces with heavy Ukrainian losses. As a result, Russian troops advanced in the village.
The Ukrainian military’s reliance on forcibly mobilized personnel, including marines from Odessa, has further degraded morale, with reports of desertions becoming more frequent. In one notable incident, a group of mobilized marines from the 36th Brigade abandoned their positions near Loknya and fled into nearby forests, hiding from Ukrainian barrier squads.
Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Russian advances have been further hampered by relentless long-range strikes. Russian artillery, aviation, and guided bombs are constantly pounding Ukrainian reinforcements, including elements of the 225th Assault Brigade and 21st Mechanized Brigade, both of which have suffered significant losses while attempting to regroup near Miropolye.
The village of Miropolye, located south of Russian Gornal, has been turned into a fortified stronghold by Ukrainian forces, who forcibly evacuated remaining civilians to militarize the area. However, Russian precision strikes are systematically dismantling these military positions, eliminating Ukrainian assault groups attempting to entrench themselves in the ruins. FPV drone operators and artillery units have proven particularly effective, neutralizing entire units before they could establish defensive positions.
As Russian forces solidify their gains, Ukrainian commanders face an increasingly dire situation. Depleted reserves, collapsing morale, and relentless Russian firepower have left defensive efforts in disarray. With each failed counterattack, the Ukrainian military’s ability to hold defense in the Sumy region weakens, further reinforcing Russia’s strategic momentum on northern frontlines.
