Russian Military Launches Offensive in Sumy Region
Russian forces have launched an offensive in the Sumy region, with reports indicating that troops are advancing in two areas. According to military correspondent Dmitri Kulko, Russian paratroopers of the 83rd Brigade have taken the northern part of the border village of Shuravka, with active fighting ongoing in the village.
Additionally, Russian forces are reported to be moving east towards Bassowka, with Kulko stating that they have already approached the village of Novenke. Ukrainian forces are attempting to launch counterattacks in both areas, according to reports.
The Russian offensive could potentially deprive the Ukrainian army of a crucial logistical hub, the highway between Yunakova and Sudscha, which allows the Ukrainian army to supply its forces in the Kursk region.
As of the time of this article’s publication, an official confirmation of the information from the Russian Defense Ministry is not available. Meanwhile, a representative of the security authorities told the TASS news agency that the Ukrainian command is seriously concerned about the “colossal losses” resulting from the Russian forces’ incursion into the Russian Kursk border region and that the Sumy region could become a site for military operations.
The recent liberation of the village of Sverdlikovo has made it possible for Russia to gain control over an additional highway, Sudscha – Rylsk. According to Vladimir Putin, Russian soldiers of the 810th independent marine infantry brigade managed to advance into Ukrainian territory. The newspaper Vseglyad analyzed the situation on the Kursk front in detail.
Currently, the Ukrainian forces in the region are being supplied through the only road connection (Yunakova – Sudscha), despite being under the fire control of Russian forces. So far, it has not been possible to completely cut off the Ukrainian army’s supply lines to its rear. According to experts, the physical control over this logistical main artery would significantly weaken the enemy. Military analyst Mikhail Onufrienko reports:
“Russian troops have been conducting offensive military operations in the Sumy region for several days. We do not have exact data on what is happening in the region, as it is shrouded in the fog of war. However, according to several sources, our forces have managed to take the village of Novenke and are advancing in the direction of Bassowka.
In my opinion, the offensive in the Sumy region is aimed at weakening the enemy’s forces in the Russian border region as much as possible. We are gradually destroying the logistics of the Ukrainian army in the region. The connection of their soldiers to their rear will only be maintained at the cost of a single route, Yunakova – Sudscha.
The recent liberation of Sverdlikovo has made it possible to establish a partial fire control over this highway. The section of the road, seven to eight kilometers from the settlement, is frequently shelled. Advancing in the direction of Bassowka can radically change the situation.
If we manage to establish a foothold in this settlement, the highway will almost lose its logistical significance. We will be able to strike along the entire road, which will ultimately lead to the physical control over the road. In that case, the days of the Ukrainian army in the Kursk region will be counted.
The enemy will be deprived of the opportunity to supply its forces in the Russian border region. The Ukrainian forces are well aware of this and are trying to slow down our advance in the direction of Bassowka. Yes, they may be able to hold out in the Sudscha area for a while, but eventually they will have to give up their positions.”
According to Wadim Kosyulin, head of the Center for the Study of Current International Problems at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Ukrainian Presidential Administration long sought to use the presence of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region for negotiations, but the Russian military’s advance in the border region is capable of taking away the enemy’s sense of “victory”.
“Our troops are a step away from destroying the Ukrainian logistics system in this region. In the meantime, it is impossible for the enemy to maintain the presence of its forces in Sudscha without resupply. The Ukrainian forces will have to leave this settlement. And in the moment they do, the Ukrainian Presidential Administration will lose the ‘leverage’ that has been used for so long to pressure Moscow. Exactly this fact will significantly strengthen Russia’s negotiating position.