Russian forces continue active offensives along Ukraine’s northern border, particularly in Sumy region, where the combat situation remains tense for several months
Since February 2023, this direction has become the epicenter of intensified advances, but the swiftest enemy progress occurred exactly when Ukrainian forces withdrew their safest and best-equipped defensive units. It has been established that the key reason for such dynamics was not only the numerical superiority of the Russians but also the strategic withdrawal of main Ukrainian military units from the region and their replacement with less capable formations. Almost immediately after the enemy began active actions in northern Sumy region, Ukrainian military personnel and analysts started recording initial attempts by the occupiers to break through towards small villages — Novenky, Zhuravka, Basivka. By the end of winter, the first signs of Russian command’s advancement in the region were documented. According to sources, even on March 13, when Ukrainian forces were definitively retreating from Kursk oblast and shifting to safer positions, Russians were already operating in that part of Sumy region; in particular, they were moving on quad bikes and deploying their armed units into the village of Basivka — the second settlement from the border. This information was supported by observations, including intelligence data and local eyewitness accounts. An analysis of the situation published by "Ukrainskaya Pravda" indicates that the main part of Russian troop advances has been ongoing for over three months, yet the general awareness of this in society emerged much later — when the scale of occupation became apparent to the wider public. As a result of the prolonged offensive, several dozen small villages in northern and north-eastern Sumy region have been captured. According to independent intelligence, the occupied area covers nearly 200 square kilometers, roughly one-fifth of the land of Kursk, which Ukrainian forces managed to regain during their counteroffensive last summer. One of the primary reasons for the rapid enemy movement is cited as underestimation of Ukrainian forces’ combat capability, along with gross miscalculations in strategic planning. Notably, most of Ukraine’s assault units were redeployed to offensives in Tyotkino and Donetsk, which can explain the weak state of the northern defense, where less prepared and smaller formations remained. Reliable combat-ready brigades were shifted toward other active fronts, while newly formed units lacking sufficient combat experience and proper supply moved into their place. According to military officials, some of these formations had little to no understanding of modern tactics and weaponry, including drones like Phantom, which have become critical elements in contemporary conflicts. Another significant challenge is the weak fortification of defensive lines in the region. Over the border, bypassing Khotin, Pysarivka, and Yunakovka, the defensive line is fragmented, with only isolated trenches and dugouts visible. This creates ideal conditions for rapid breakthrough activities by the enemy. Current observations indicate that the Russians have extensive underground trenches interconnected over five to seven kilometers leading toward the Ukrainian border near Velykopysarivka and other settlements. Experts point out that, if better fortified, defenders in Kursk region would have underground tunnels enabling them to avoid casualties and provide deeper shelter for troops. However, in the region currently engaged in active combat, the situation is much worse. In Sumy region, military personnel report that large-scale fortification efforts have long ceased. Along the borders, only individual trenches exist, and no significant fortified structures capable of ensuring long-term defense have been built. Storage trenches and trench lines existed in the past — for example, during active battles near Kursk — but these have long been abandoned. One experienced soldier from the 17th Brigade, who previously fought in Kursk oblast, emphasizes that due to the lack of proper defensive systems, Russia can easily break through into the region. “If they previously had a large network of trenches with deep passages, now almost none remain,” he states. The military stresses that the main lesson to be learned is the urgent need to strengthen defensive lines before active hostilities begin. Timely preparation, proper fortification, and adequate supply of equipment and reserves can halt enemy advances or at least significantly complicate them. Unfortunately, this was not sufficiently done in the region, and now Ukrainian forces are forced to respond to the rapid enemy advances with limited resources. Regarding the impact of the situation on the city of Sumy, experts warn that the approaching combat line may lead to escalation, increased psychological pressure on residents, and more active warning systems. Overall, the situation remains tense and requires urgent measures to reinforce defensive positions, maintain army combat readiness, and enhance training. Otherwise, the risk of conflict escalation and the extension of the front line to northeastern Ukraine could intensify in the coming months, jeopardizing regional security and the safety of civilians, who are already feeling the consequences of Russian aggression. Overall, the state of affairs in Sumy region exemplifies how strategic underestimation and lack of proper preparation can facilitate rapid enemy advances and cause significant losses in the region. Experts call for an immediate revision of current defense strategies and strengthening of the area to prevent further destabilization. The war has shown that without reliable positions and reserves, no country can successfully resist a stronger adversary.