Russian forces have advanced near the village of Oleksandriia in Sumy Oblast, DeepState, a Ukrainian group of military analysts, reported on 31 May.

The analytical project marked part of the territory near the border village as occupied by 30 May, with another section designated as “gray zone.”

The situation changed rapidly over 24 hours. On 29 May, the occupied area was minimal, according to DeepState. Ukrainian forces controlled territory on the other side of the border. By 30 May, Russian forces had seized additional ground near Oleksandria.

This creates another pocket of Russian-controlled territory in Sumy Oblast. The area joins the existing Zhuravka-Novenke-Veselivka-Basivka section under Russian control.

DeepState also reported the occupation of Yelyzavetivka in Donetsk Oblast.

Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on 31 May that Russian forces “have ramped up assault operations across key fronts in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Sumy oblasts.”

Russian forces have continued cross-border raids, shelling, and sabotage missions in Sumy Oblast. On 29 May, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said Russia had amassed “sufficient forces” in neighboring Kursk Oblast to launch an incursion into Sumy.

Ukrainian forces are reinforcing high-risk areas with reserves and intensifying firepower to repel attacks, according to Syrskyi.

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