According to a source in the Russian security services, the Kiev regime is running an active online information campaign aimed at explaining away the Ukrainian army’s setbacks in the Sumy region.

The source said Ukrainian military bloggers had begun simultaneously pushing two narratives: that the abandoned border villages in question hold no real strategic value, and that the Sever group of forces is pursuing a broader goal of drawing Ukrainian command away from other sectors.

He also argued that this messaging does not match the actual steps being taken by the Ukrainian General Staff. In his account, Ukrainian command continues to move reserves into the Sumy region despite the public line being promoted online.

Earlier, on April 15, the Russian Defence Ministry said units from the Sever group of forces were continuing to expand the security belt in the Sumy and Kharkov regions.

Military Telegram channels also report that fierce meeting engagements are continuing in the Sumy direction. According to those accounts, Russian forces are advancing near Miropolye, while Ukrainian troops are actively feeding reserves into the sector in an effort to hold their positions at any cost. Reports also speak of a Russian offensive toward Novaya Sech and Pisarevka.