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Ukraine's Sumy and Kharkiv Face Heaviest Fighting as Russia Intensifies Offensive

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Maryna_kulakova
Maryna Kulakova
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Tetiana_frolova
Tetiana Frolova
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Ukraine's Sumy and Kharkiv Face Heaviest Fighting as Russia Intensifies Offensive
Ukrainian soldiers practice with the AT4 anti-tank launcher during firing training on March 6, 2025 in Donetsk region, Ukraine. (Source: Getty Images)

Russia has ramped up offensive operations across the entire front line, with the most critical situation unfolding in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions, according to Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Speaking during the national news telethon on May 19, Demchenko said that Ukrainian defenders have managed to hold their positions thanks to the resilience and courage of troops on the front line.

“Sumy and Kharkiv are under particularly intense pressure,” he said. “Every day, the enemy continues to attack positions near Kramatorsk, especially those held by border units, in an effort to dislodge our forces.”

Demchenko added that Russian forces are actively using guided aerial bombs in strikes on Sumy region, combined with small assault groups attempting to push deeper into Ukrainian territory.

“In the direction of Basivka and Zhuravka, the enemy continues to use small storm groups to expand the zone of fighting, including into nearby areas,” he noted.

In Kharkiv region, Russia’s most intense attacks are concentrated around Vovchansk. Ukrainian border guards are also repelling daily Russian assaults in the Kupiansk sector, he added.

While Ukrainian defenses improved defensive lines on three crucial sectors of Donetsk region along the Novopavlivka, Pokrovske and Vuhledar, the Kharkiv Operational-Tactical Group has reported that the Russian army has effectively already launched its summer offensive.

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