Russia Deports Four Residents of Occupied Konstantinivka in Sumy Oblast to Russia
The occupiers have forcibly deported four residents of the village of Konstantinivka, part of the Khotyn community in the north-east of Sumy Oblast. This information was confirmed by the head of the community, Mykola Toryanyk, in a comment to the publication "Kordon.Media". According to him, one of the local residents has disappeared, and his daughter has started a search. Later, a relative from the Voronezh Oblast of the Russian Federation reported that the man is in Russia together with three other residents of the village. Thus, there are currently no civilian residents left in Konstantinivka, which is causing concern among local journalists and residents. This is the first confirmed case of mass deportation of Ukrainian citizens from territories occupied by Russian armed formations in Sumy Oblast. Until now, official structures, in particular the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have not recognized the loss of part of the region northeast of Sumy. However, eyewitnesses report that several residents of Kindrativka and Konstantinivka have not been unsuccessful in leaving the occupation zone on foot, thereby trying to save themselves from forced eviction. It is important to emphasize that hostilities in this area continue, and the situation remains tense. Ukrainian military reports that the Ukrainian army is actively advancing in the areas of Kindrativka and Yunakivka, trying to knock out the Russian occupiers from strategically important positions. At the same time, the situation in the southern outskirts of Yunakivka, especially in the area of the village of Sadky and the adjacent forest areas, remains tense. Russian troops are probably trying to maintain control over the captured lands, forming buffer zones in order to prevent the advance of Ukrainian forces to the border of the region and to delay the de-occupation process as much as possible. According to military experts, Ukrainian defenders are conducting targeted assault operations to oust the occupiers from the captured territories. The goal of Ukrainian forces is not only to regain control over the region, but also to defeat the Russian line of resistance in order to ensure security and stability throughout the Sumy region. It is now clear that the war for this part of the country is ongoing with the intention of preventing the consolidation of Russian troops and their infrastructure, as well as restoring the sovereignty and control of the Ukrainian authorities. Thus, the issue of eviction of residents from occupied villages, in particular mass deportation, remains one of the main dangers for the local population and indicates the seriousness of the situation on the front. Ukraine is making efforts to restore control over the territories that were temporarily under Russian occupation, but victory depends entirely on long and difficult battles, as well as international support.