The Sumy direction could be Russia's next target. After the breakthrough in Kharkiv Oblast towards Vovchansk, both President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the head of Ukrainian intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, have warned of a possible Russian offensive on Sumy and Chernihiv.

Given the current positioning of Russian occupation forces in Kharkiv Oblast, they can currently "only look at Sumy Oblast through binoculars," Viktor Kevlyuk, an analyst at the Center for Defense Strategies and a retired colonel, told LIGA.net.

However, Russia may initiate operations in the north "without deep incursions into Ukraine" to stretch Ukraine's defenses over hundreds of kilometers and force the Ukrainian command to move reserves from Donbas.

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Russia's war against UkraineKharkiv OblastState Border Guard ServiceSumy Oblastoffensive