Ukraine Continues Pushing Russians Back On Sumy Front After Taking 2nd Town

Ukrainian forces are finding continuing success on the Sumy front as they gain more ground and inflict heavy casualties. 

After liberating two towns in a matter of weeks, the Ukrainians are eroding the advances Russian troops made several months ago. These Ukrainian successes in Sumy are likely due to relative Russian weakness because of the Kremlin's focus on Pokrovsk, but also because the Ukrainians remain opportunistic, hitting gaps in Russian defenses when they are identified. The larger implication is that Ukraine is managing the war as a systemic whole, allocating resources as needed to optimize their position before the autumn rains begin in a few weeks. JL

Yevhenia Martinyuk reports in Euromaidan Press:

Ukrainian soldiers are cutting through the Russian army's flanks along the main axis of the Russian assault in Sumy Oblast and continue to erode Russian positions. Kindrativka is the second village Ukraine's 225th Assault Battalion has liberated in the region and that “the enemy suffered heavy losses during both operations.” Despite weeks of assaults, Russia has been unable to make significant breakthroughs around key villages such as Yunakivka.

Ukrainian forces have retaken the village of Kindrativka in the Khotyn community of Sumy Oblast, a settlement that has been under pressure since Russia opened a new front in the north. The Kursk military grouping officially confirmed the liberation, adding that “stabilization measures are underway.”

Why the Sumy front matters

In late May 2025, Russian troops launched a cross-border offensive from Kursk into northern Sumy Oblast. Moscow described the push as an attempt to create a “buffer zone,” hoping to pull Ukrainian forces away from the eastern and southern fronts.

According to Ukrainian and Western estimates, around 50,000 Russian troops are concentrated in Kursk Oblast just across the border, serving as a staging force for these attacks. Despite weeks of assaults, Russia has been unable to make significant breakthroughs around key villages such as Yunakivka.

Assessed control of the terrain in Sumy Oblast. Photo: ISW maps

Early reports and enemy losses

The analytical outlet DeepState first reported Kindrativka’s liberation on 25 July.

“The 225th Separate Assault Battalion has completed the clearing and securing of Kindrativka,” DeepState said.

They added that this is the second village the unit has liberated in the region and that “the enemy suffered heavy losses during both operations.”

Ukrainian soldiers on a tank. Photo: General Staff

“Sweat, blood and courage” behind the advance

Military analyst Bohdan Myroshnykov described the scale of effort behind the gains.

“Our troops freed Kindrativka in Sumy Oblast a few days ago,” he wrote.

He stressed that these successes have been followed by smaller, localized advances, but at a very high cost.

“Behind every liberated settlement, behind every recaptured position, there is an entire story – a story of hard‑won success, sweat, blood, and courage,” Myroshnykov explained.

He noted that bit by bit, Ukrainian soldiers are cutting through the enemy’s flanks along the main axis of the Russian assault in Sumy Oblast.

“The occupiers still haven’t fully captured Yunakivka. It’s hard to say how many weeks their infantry has been throwing itself against a brick wall there,” he added.

A gradual but determined push

While retaking Kindrativka marks an important step, the fighting in Sumy Oblast remains intense. Ukrainian troops continue to erode Russian positions, holding ground despite relentless pressure from across the border.