Russian forces have reportedly captured four border villages in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, as tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalate further.
This military action comes just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his directive to establish a buffer zone along the border, in response to ongoing security concerns.
The Sumy region shares a border with Russia’s Kursk region, which was notably affected by a surprise Ukrainian incursion last year, resulting in the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II.
Putin emphasized the need for a buffer zone to prevent further Ukrainian incursions, describing the long border as vulnerable to attacks.
While Russian assaults have intensified in recent days, there were reports of a slowdown in the bombing campaign overnight, with significantly fewer Russian drones targeting Ukrainian towns and cities.
Despite numerous attempts led by the U.S. to broker a ceasefire and initiate peace discussions, Moscow’s invasion shows no signs of abating.
The last direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations occurred in Turkey on May 16, marking the first engagement in three years.
A large prisoner exchange was the only substantial outcome from that meeting, but significant progress on other issues has not materialized.
U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, noted that Putin has yet to deliver a promised memorandum to U.S. President Donald Trump, which would supposedly outline a framework for a potential peace agreement.
Furthermore, the Kremlin has dismissed the notion of the Vatican serving as a venue for negotiations, leading Kellogg to suggest that Geneva may be the next potential location for talks.
Turkey has also expressed its readiness to host another round of peace discussions, as highlighted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The recent surge in Russian drone attacks saw around 900 drones launched at Ukraine from Friday to Sunday, with Sunday night witnessing the most extensive drone strike of the ongoing conflict, involving 355 drones.
Between Monday and Tuesday, Russian forces fired an additional 60 drones at Ukraine, with the Ukrainian air force reporting that Russian defenses managed to intercept 99 Ukrainian drones across seven Russian regions overnight.
In reaction to the recent wave of violence, Trump criticized Putin’s approach, remarking that the Russian leader has gone “crazy.”
This statement triggered a sharp response from the Kremlin, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov chastising such emotional reactions to ongoing events.
Peskov adopted a softer tone the following day, acknowledging U.S. efforts toward peace and describing them as balanced.
However, Trump continued to apply rhetorical pressure, stating on social media that Putin is “playing with fire,” insisting that, without his previous interventions, the situation for Russia would have been dire.
In Sumy, local military administration head Oleh Hryhorov stated that Russian forces aim to advance further into Ukrainian territory following their recent village captures.
Ukrainian troops are reportedly working hard to maintain the front lines, and residents of the affected villages have already been evacuated, placing them out of immediate danger.
Putin had visited the Kursk region for the first time since Russia claimed it had expelled Ukrainian forces from land captured last August, although Kyiv officials have denied these claims.
The ongoing conflict highlights the enduring vulnerability of the border, with Putin again voicing his concerns regarding the threat of Ukrainian incursions.
He mentioned a year prior how a Russian offensive aimed to create a buffer zone in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region to enhance the security of the beleaguered Belgorod border region, which has faced consistent Ukrainian attacks that have created embarrassment for the Kremlin.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community remains watchful, with calls for renewed diplomatic efforts intensifying.
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