Ukraine orders evacuation of 11 villages in Sumy border region
According to webangah News Agency, officials in Ukraine’s Sumy region bordering Russia have ordered the evacuation of 11 villages and residential areas due to concerns over a potential Moscow-led offensive.
The Sumy regional government stated in an announcement that this decision was made considering ongoing threats from border-area bombardments against civilians.
Russia’s Defense Ministry today claimed its forces have captured the village of Vodolahy in Sumy region.
In recent weeks, Russia has announced the “liberation” of several villages in northeastern Ukraine. President Volodymyr zelensky recently stated Moscow has amassed over 50,000 troops near these areas – a potential sign of impending attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow intends to establish a buffer zone in Sumy. Ukrainian forces previously used this region last year to launch attacks into Russia’s Kursk territory.
Ukrainian Border Guard spokesman Andriy Demchenko reported last Thursday that Russia is preparing an assault on Sumy. Russian forces have recently regained nearly full control of Kursk region.
Since launching its military operation against Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has occupied approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.
While Washington leads diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Moscow and kyiv, both sides continue accusing each other of unwillingness to pursue peace.
