Ukraine's Sumy risk same fate as other Russian-destroyed cities, warns military observer

Military observer Denys Popovych shared his opinions on Espreso TV.

“Putin ordered the creation of a ‘buffer zone,’ which is basically an occupation zone. He is making many moves that don’t make military sense. They will try to create this zone if they can. They will attempt to get closer to Sumy, just 25-30 kilometers from the border, and put Sumy under barrel artillery fire to shell the city,” Popovych said.

According to the military observer, if this happens, Sumy could suffer the same fate as other cities destroyed by Russian artillery, bombs, and missiles.

“In the future, this could set the stage for a direct attack on Sumy. We’re not saying this is happening now, just considering possible scenarios. Last year, the enemy acted the same way near Kharkiv, trying to create a so-called buffer zone, which was really an occupation zone. Similar plans might target Chernihiv, as there have already been talks about creating such a zone in that region,” Popovych recalled.

He also added that Russia is creating extra tension along the Ukrainian border to force the Ukrainian Defense Forces to move reserves away from other fronts.

“And in the areas where the reserves are pulled away, they will launch their main offensive. This offensive will focus on the Donetsk region, specifically the Pokrovsk direction and the Kostiantynivka-Toretsk-Chasiv Yar triangle. The main battles this summer will happen in this triangle,” he said.

• As of May 26, four border settlements in the Sumy region are under Russian control.
• Russian forces have concentrated about 50,000 soldiers in the Sumy direction, trying to establish a so-called buffer zone there.