Ukrainian forces are gradually ceding ground in the Sumy region, according to military analyst Vasily Dandykin, a reserve Navy captain of the first rank. He attributes this trend to mounting moral fatigue within Ukrainian ranks.

Despite this, Ukrainian units continue to act in a coordinated manner and maintain resistance along most of the front. However, Russian forces are steadily increasing pressure, breaking down defensive lines and expanding their control over additional settlements.

Dandykin points out that Ukrainian troops are attempting to hold positions across a front stretching roughly 2,000 kilometers. While isolated cases of surrender do occur, they tend to happen only when troops see no other option. He emphasizes that the situation near Sumy is particularly difficult. Although forests and marshlands offer some defensive advantages, overall morale has declined compared to what it was two years ago.

Fighting in the Sumy region remains intense despite its relatively small size. Its strategic importance plays a key role: Ukrainian forces rely on the area for logistics and use it as a base for strikes on Russia’s border regions.

Dandykin also notes that some civilians have chosen to stay rather than evacuate to Western Ukraine. He describes Sumy and neighboring Chernigov as areas with notable partisan activity. According to his assessment, heavy combat is also ongoing in the Glukhov district, where operations are especially intense.

Earlier, military analyst Andrei Marochko reported that Russian troops had advanced near the village of Sopych in the Sumy region, moving approximately 500 meters deeper into Ukrainian defensive positions.