
Ukrainian forces’ gains derail Russian plans on Sumy axis — military expert
Successful Ukrainian defense operations on the Sumy axis have thwarted Russian plans to break through to the regional center, with active resistance helping to stabilize the situation and inflict heavy losses on Russian forces
Military expert and co-chair of the Prava Sprava initiative group, Dmytro Sniehyrov, shared his opinions with Espreso TV.
“The situation on the Sumy axis has been stabilized. Moreover, the Defense Forces of Ukraine have achieved certain tactical successes. Notably, the village of Andriivka has been de-occupied. Currently, the Russian advance has been effectively blocked along the line from Kyndrativka to Andriivka, Yablunivka, and Yunakivka,” Sniehyrov said.
He added that Russian forces suffered heavy losses during its attempted advance near Kyndrativka — an area where they had initially made limited tactical gains.
“Out of 100 Russian assault troops who participated in the attack on Ukrainian positions, only 8 survived — and even they were sent back into battle, essentially for disposal,” the expert noted.
According to Sniehyrov, further Russian movement along the Kyndrativka–Andriivka–Yablunivka line has now been made impossible due to Ukraine’s active defense. This, he stressed, effectively nullifies Russia’s plans to reach and potentially seize the town of Khotin.
“If Russian forces had gained control of Khotin, its proximity to Sumy would have allowed them to place residential neighborhoods of the regional capital under artillery fire. That would have given them a theoretical opportunity to use their notorious scorched-earth tactics,” Sniehyrov explained.
- Russia's tactical objective is to expand the "gray zone" along the border line and seize commanding heights in the border communities of the Sumy region.
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