Ukrainian forces are regularly driving Russian troops again from elements of Sumy Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on June 12, amid escalating cross-border assaults within the area.
"Immediately, there was a report from Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr) Syrskyi — the entrance and, above all, the Pokrovsk path, the Kursk operation, the border space of Sumy Oblast," Zelensky stated in a video deal with.
"Our models in Sumy Oblast are regularly pushing again the occupiers. Thanks to every of our troopers, sergeants, and officers for this consequence."
The assertion follows weeks of intensified Russian offensives alongside the northeastern border. Russian troops have superior into Sumy Oblast since Ukraine's withdrawal from most of its positions in Russia's Kursk Oblast in March.
Since March, Russia has reportedly taken management of about 200 sq. kilometers (80 sq. miles) in northern Sumy Oblast, together with roughly a dozen small villages. As of Could 31, obligatory evacuations have been ordered for 213 settlements.
In Could, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his navy to create a so-called "safety buffer zone" alongside the border with Ukraine, whereas Zelensky stated on Could 28 that Moscow had massed 50,000 troops close to Sumy.
In a separate interview with Bild on June 12, Zelensky dismissed Moscow's claims of serious territorial good points as "a Russian narrative" geared toward shaping international perceptions. He harassed that Ukrainian forces have managed to carry off a renewed offensive for practically three weeks.
Sumy Oblast, which shares a protracted border with Russia, has been below near-constant assault for the reason that begin of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
On June 3, Russian strikes on town of Sumy killed six individuals and injured 28 others, together with kids.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
Leave a Reply