President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that after advancing only 200 meters in the Sumy region over the past week, Russian troops were pushed back by 200 to 400 meters by Ukrainian forces.
The head of state said this during a meeting with journalists, as reported by Ukrinform.
“The Russians are trying to ‘sell’ the idea of success in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. They desperately need victories at the front. Because without tangible gains, we believe President Trump will be more inclined to pressure them with sanctions,” Zelensky stated.
Zelensky noted that Russian advances in the Sumy region have been minimal in recent days.
“This week, they moved 200 meters toward Sumy, and we pushed them back by 200 to 400 meters,” he said.
At the same time, he emphasized the complexity of the situation in both the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
“Roughly 23% of all bombs and strikes along the frontline are concentrated in the Sumy sector,” Zelensky added, describing the intensity of combat there. He also noted that Russian forces are actively deploying North Korean missiles.
President Zelensky reported that Russian forces recently attempted a breakthrough near Kostiantynivka, deploying dozens of motorcycles and 24 units of heavy military equipment.
“We destroyed 20 of those vehicles and 16 motorcycles—they retreated,” he said.
As reported by Ukrinform, according to the General Staff, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 38 Russian assault operations in the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors on June 20. Enemy forces conducted 10 air strikes, dropping 21 guided bombs, and carried out 207 attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements—six of which involved multiple launch rocket systems.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian troops launched 15 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Zelene, Hlyboke, Kamianka, Fiholivka, and Vovchansk.
Source: Russians advance 200 meters in Sumy region, then pushed back 400 meters – Zelensky
