President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that approximately 695,000 Russian troops are currently operating on Ukrainian territory, with an additional 52,000 personnel positioned across the border in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions, opposite Kharkiv and Sumy.
Speaking to journalists on June 21, Zelenskyy noted that nearly a quarter of all Russian strikes along the front line—around 23%—are being directed at the Sumy axis. He described the situation in the region as a key focus for Russian forces.
According to the president, Russian troops have made only minimal territorial gains in the area, advancing roughly 200 meters towards Sumy over the past week.
Ukrainian forces, in response, pushed them back by 200 to 400 meters. He said Russian forces are attempting to frame any progress in Sumy and Kharkiv as a strategic success.
Zelenskyy also addressed security developments in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where small Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups (DRGs) continue to attempt incursions. These groups typically consist of two to four individuals and have not achieved any operational success to date.
He added that these incursions appear to be aimed at producing visual material—photos and videos—for information campaigns rather than securing any lasting tactical advantage. Previous reports also indicated that Russian DRGs have attempted to cross into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast to support such efforts.
The Ukrainian military previously estimated that as of late 2024, Russia maintained up to 575,000 troops in Ukraine, with plans to increase this number to 690,000 by the end of that year. That target was reportedly not met at the time. Now, the presence of nearly 700,000 Russian personnel marks a significant escalation in manpower.
In addition to Russian forces, previous intelligence assessments reported the presence of North Korean troops within Russian formations in the Kursk region, with a contingent of approximately 11,000 soldiers. The total Russian grouping in the area was estimated at 59,000 in late 2024.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will begin producing weapons abroad in allied countries as part of the “Build with Ukraine” initiative. Agreements have been reached to manufacture drones, missiles, and potentially artillery in Europe, with formal deals expected this summer.
