President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers his evening address on June 12, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Zelensky / Telegram)
| Published June 12, 2025
Amid continued fighting in Ukraine’s northeastern territories, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this week that Ukrainian forces are making gradual progress in pushing back Russian troops from the Sumy Oblast. The development comes as part of broader operations aimed at stabilizing frontlines in regions that have seen intensified combat activity since spring.
Ukrainian Military Progress in Sumy Oblast
According to statements by President Zelensky and multiple Ukrainian news agencies, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have launched sustained counteroffensives in the Sumy region, located near the northeastern border with Russia. In a video address on June 12, Zelensky stated that Ukrainian troops have been “gradually pushing back” Russian units from various positions in the area.
Reports from Ukrinform and Ukrainska Pravda noted that these operations have involved coordinated efforts between infantry, drone units, and long-range artillery. While specific territorial gains have not been independently verified, local military commanders have described the maneuvers as deliberate and persistent.
Russian Presence and Military Activity
The Sumy region, although less spotlighted than eastern and southern frontlines such as Donetsk or Zaporizhzhia, has remained a site of regular shelling and incursions by Russian forces. Russian military units have reportedly utilized cross-border firepower and small-unit raids to pressure Ukrainian defenses, particularly in border-adjacent districts.
Ukrainian sources say that Russian forces had recently attempted to establish forward positions in northern Sumy, leading to direct engagements with Ukrainian defenders. The area’s strategic proximity to the Russian border makes it a high-risk zone for both conventional attacks and drone-based operations.
Civilian Impact and Local Response
The ongoing military activity has affected civilian life in Sumy Oblast. Ukrainian regional authorities continue to issue alerts and guidance to residents, particularly in towns and villages near the border. Local administrations have maintained coordination with national defense efforts, providing logistical and humanitarian support to both displaced civilians and military personnel.
Zelensky’s announcement followed recent meetings with frontline commanders and defense officials. The President emphasized the importance of steady progress and highlighted the resilience of the Ukrainian forces operating in the region.
Statements from Ukrainian Officials
In a related statement, Ukraine’s General Staff also referenced movements in Sumy, noting that counter-offensive operations were being conducted with caution and tactical discipline. Military spokespersons did not specify the exact locations of current operations but confirmed that the intensity of fighting in the oblast had increased in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense has urged the public and media to refrain from sharing real-time details about ongoing operations in order to protect personnel and operational security.
Media Access and Information Control
Coverage from both domestic and international media remains limited due to security restrictions and the fluid nature of operations in Sumy. Journalists embedded with military units have occasionally reported from the region but are typically subject to delays in publication or restricted access to active combat zones.
Despite these limitations, recent drone footage released by Ukrainian forces appears to show artillery impacts and troop movements in rural areas of the oblast, though exact coordinates and timelines remain undisclosed.
https://youtu.be/9T4N9K4jJYk?si=dom8EnD1OKUeL5Sc
Here are the implications of the reported Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Sumy Oblast, based on the sourced material:
1. Expanded Frontline Engagement
The intensification of fighting in Sumy indicates a possible broadening of active combat zones beyond the primary eastern and southern fronts, requiring Ukraine to allocate additional military resources.
2. Strain on Russian Defensive Positions
Gradual Ukrainian advances in the region may stretch Russian troop deployments, potentially weakening their capacity to reinforce or hold other critical areas along the front.
3. Renewed Cross-Border Tensions
Given Sumy’s proximity to the Russian border, increased Ukrainian operations could heighten risks of cross-border escalation or retaliation from Russian forces.
4. Boost to Ukrainian Morale
Publicized progress in reclaiming territory may provide a psychological and symbolic lift for Ukrainian forces and civilians, reinforcing national resolve.
5. Civilian Displacement and Risk
Continued fighting in northern areas of Sumy could endanger local populations, resulting in new waves of internal displacement and added pressure on humanitarian support systems.
6. Operational Diversion for Russia
Ukraine’s military push in Sumy could serve as a tactical distraction, potentially drawing Russian focus away from contested areas like Donetsk or Kharkiv.
7. Increased Demand for Western Support
Sustained counteroffensive operations may prompt Ukrainian officials to call for additional Western aid—particularly artillery, drones, and surveillance technology—to maintain momentum.
8. Infrastructure Damage
As hostilities grow in the region, critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, and energy systems in Sumy Oblast may be at greater risk of damage or disruption.
9. Strategic Signaling to Allies
Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim territory near its border with Russia may signal to international allies that it retains the initiative and is capable of reversing Russian territorial gains.
10. Challenges in Sustaining Gains
Even with tactical progress, holding retaken areas will require logistical support, troop rotation, and stabilization operations, presenting long-term operational challenges for Ukraine.
Overall Takeaway:
Ukraine’s gradual pushback against Russian forces in the Sumy region reflects a deliberate military effort to regain control along the northeastern border. While territorial gains remain cautious and contested, the operation signals continued Ukrainian resistance and an evolving battlefield dynamic beyond the war’s primary flashpoints. The developments reinforce the complexity of the conflict and the ongoing volatility across multiple fronts.
SOURCES: THE KYIV INDEPENDENT – Ukrainian forces ‘gradually pushing back’ Russian troops from Sumy Oblast, Zelensky says
UKRINFORM – Ukrainian forces in Sumy region gradually pushing back Russians – Zelensky
UKRAINSKA PRAVDA – Zelenskyy: Ukrainian forces gradually pushing Russians back in Sumy Oblast
Be the first to comment