Russian forces closing in on Sumy city three years after Ukraine forced them out of region

Archived Link: https://archive.is/9ds3F

Russian military units appear to be within 18 miles (29km) of the city of Sumy, three years after Ukraine forced them out of the northern region, while also making new and symbolically important ground in the east.

The Russian defence ministry further claimed on Sunday that forces had reached the western frontier of the Donetsk region, in the east of Ukraine, and were advancing in the adjacent Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time in three years of full-scale war.

Independent monitors said there was also evidence that Russia was advancing on the city of Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, from several directions. The city has been a key logistical hub for Ukraine’s forces since February 2022 when Putin launched his full-scale invasion.

Russia launched one of its most intense aerial barrages of the war on Thursday night and into the early hours of Friday morning, firing 452 drones and 45 missiles at Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, but further plans were believed to be in the making.

Kyiv and Moscow agreed to release all wounded soldiers and those under 25, equating to more than 1,000 people from each side. Russia said it would also hand back the remains of 6,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers.

The Kremlin accused Ukraine of not turning up to collect the bodies already at the border and prevaricating over Monday’s prisoner exchange. Russian officials said they would continue to deliver further bodies to the border.

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Archived Link: https://archive.is/9ds3F
Russian military units appear to be within 18 miles (29km) of the city of Sumy, three years after Ukraine forced them out of the northern region, while also making new and symbolically important ground in the east.
The Russian defence ministry further claimed on Sunday that forces had reached the western frontier of the Donetsk region, in the east of Ukraine, and were advancing in the adjacent Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time in three years of full-scale war.
Independent monitors said there was also evidence that Russia was advancing on the city of Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, from several directions. The city has been a key logistical hub for Ukraine’s forces since February 2022 when Putin launched his full-scale invasion.
Russia launched one of its most intense aerial barrages of the war on Thursday night and into the early hours of Friday morning, firing 452 drones and 45 missiles at Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, but further plans were believed to be in the making.
Kyiv and Moscow agreed to release all wounded soldiers and those under 25, equating to more than 1,000 people from each side. Russia said it would also hand back the remains of 6,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers.
The Kremlin accused Ukraine of not turning up to collect the bodies already at the border and prevaricating over Monday’s prisoner exchange. Russian officials said they would continue to deliver further bodies to the border.