Russia has reportedly launched its largest military transfer from Crimea and the Kherson region, signaling a significant escalation in troop and equipment deployment toward Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region.
Largest Russian Military Movement Since Start of War
According to Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the exiled mayor of Mariupol, a massive Russian military convoy was spotted moving through Mariupol toward Novoazovsk and Taganrog before being loaded onto trains bound for the Sumy region. He posted a video on Telegram showing the convoy, which reportedly included:
- Over 10 self-propelled artillery units
- A modern air defense system
- More than 40 military trucks carrying soldiers and ammunition
While the exact date and location of the footage could not be independently verified, Andryushchenko described the operation as “the largest troop movement in the last six months.”
He also noted a new tactical marking on Russian vehicles—a triangle within a triangle—which analysts believe may indicate a newly formed Russian combat unit or special operational task force.
Russian Forces Advance Toward Sumy
Reports from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and independent conflict monitors confirm that Russian troops have advanced to positions approximately 29 km south of Sumy, Ukraine’s key northeastern city.
Recent battlefield developments include:
- Russian forces pushing west of Mala Korchakivka
- Advances toward Varachyne and Khotin
- Active clashes near Yunakivka and Yablunivka
- Recapture of Loknia, a village Ukraine had reclaimed in 2022
These movements put Sumy city within artillery range, prompting fears of a potential siege or expanded ground offensive.
Ukraine Responds with Evacuations
Facing growing threats, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last month warned of 50,000 Russian troops massing along the border. By May 31, Ukrainian authorities had evacuated 213 towns and villages in Sumy Oblast, with mandatory evacuations ordered in 11 more settlements.
The Sumy regional governor stressed the danger posed by increased Russian troop presence and artillery activity.
Russia’s Strategic Goals: Buffer Zone or Offensive?
Russian officials have reiterated calls for establishing a “buffer zone” along the Ukraine-Russia border, a concept that could serve as the foundation for a broader offensive. During a visit to Kursk on May 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with regional leaders, some of whom proposed that the buffer zone should extend all the way to Sumy city.
Despite these ambitions, ISW analysts believe that Russia is unlikely to capture Sumy in the near or medium term. Since July 2022, Russian forces have not seized any major Ukrainian city, reflecting both the resilience of Ukrainian defense and the challenges facing Russian logistics and morale.
The massive movement of Russian military assets from Crimea represents a possible shift in strategy as the war in Ukraine enters a new phase. While the full scope of the operation remains unclear, the threat to Sumy is growing. Analysts and Ukrainian officials are watching developments closely as artillery, drones, and positional warfare redefine the conflict’s front lines.
