The Daily Populous Friday June 13rd, 2025 morning edition
Authored by kyivindependent.com and submitted by eaglemaxie

This audio is created with AI assistance

Ukrainian forces are gradually driving Russian troops back from parts of Sumy Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 12, amid escalating cross-border assaults in the region.

"Today, there was a report from Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr) Syrskyi — the front and, above all, the Pokrovsk direction, the Kursk operation, the border area of Sumy Oblast," Zelensky said in a video address.

"Our units in Sumy Oblast are gradually pushing back the occupiers. Thank you to each of our soldiers, sergeants, and officers for this result."

The statement follows weeks of intensified Russian offensives along the northeastern border. Russian troops have advanced into Sumy Oblast since Ukraine's withdrawal from most of its positions in Russia's Kursk Oblast in March.

Since March, Russia has reportedly taken control of about 200 square kilometers (80 square miles) in northern Sumy Oblast, including roughly a dozen small villages. As of May 31, mandatory evacuations were ordered for 213 settlements.

In May, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to create a so-called "security buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine, while Zelensky said on May 28 that Moscow had massed 50,000 troops near Sumy.

In a separate interview with Bild on June 12, Zelensky dismissed Moscow's claims of significant territorial gains as "a Russian narrative" aimed at shaping global perceptions. He stressed that Ukrainian forces have managed to hold off a renewed offensive for nearly three weeks.

Sumy Oblast, which shares a long border with Russia, has been under near-constant attack since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

On June 3, Russian strikes on the city of Sumy killed six people and injured 28 others, including children.

CBT7commander on June 13rd, 2025 at 00:03 UTC »

The Ukrainian run Deepstate map seems to disagree.

Dante2005 on June 12nd, 2025 at 23:16 UTC »

Man I hope so.

Let Putin and Trump feel this.

I still wish we in the EU did more.

We are doing, but it can never be enough.

The USA is lost and is not an ally, as we have known for a long time. Lets form a new NATO with hookers and Blackjack...sorry, with loyalty and honour to defend our friends.

Immediate-Farmer3773 on June 12nd, 2025 at 23:05 UTC »

Zelenskyy you are a hero. I knew the people made a good choice when they voted you in.