Russian forces launched a new offensive into Sumy Oblast, charging across open fields with the expectation of minimal resistance. But what they encountered was a carefully planned Ukrainian trap.

Drawn far from their defensive lines and exposed in the open, Russian units were hit hard by a sudden Ukrainian counterstrike. Artillery, drones, and precision infantry movements devastated the attackers. Ukrainian forces quickly overran Russian command posts, shattered frontline cohesion, and forced dozens of Russian soldiers to surrender.

Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that capturing Sumy is not a primary goal, his assertion that “wherever Russian soldiers step becomes Russian territory” stands in stark contrast to current battlefield losses. Russian diplomats had even issued direct threats during Istanbul negotiations, warning Ukraine it could lose both Sumy and Kharkiv if it didn’t comply with Kremlin demands. But so far, Ukraine has turned the tide.

Ukrainian veterans regroup and launch counterattack

In the opening days of the Russian offensive, Ukrainian forces appeared to retreat, offering limited resistance. In reality, this was a strategic maneuver. Veteran Ukrainian units, including those with experience deep inside Kursk Oblast, conducted a tactical withdrawal and repositioned into defensible areas within Sumy.

Taking shelter in the forests, these battle-hardened troops waited for the right moment. Ukrainian command anticipated that once Russian troops crossed into exposed terrain, they’d become highly vulnerable—and they were right.

Geolocated footage now confirms fields littered with Russian casualties, following intense drone strikes and artillery fire. Ukraine’s ability to conserve its strength and then strike with precision turned a risky situation into a battlefield advantage.

Elite Ukrainian unit retakes Andriivka

With Russian forces depleted, Ukraine seized the opportunity. The 225th Separate Assault Battalion, one of Ukraine’s elite strike forces, led a fierce counteroffensive. In a matter of hours, Ukrainian troops retook the village of Andriivka, dismantling fortified Russian positions.

One of the most significant blows came during the assault on a Russian frontline command post. Ukrainian soldiers not only overran the site but also killed Andrey Vyacheslavovich Yartsev, a battalion commander from Russia’s 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment. His death caused a sudden breakdown in Russian command coordination, leaving forward units scattered and exposed.

Retaking Andriivka gave Ukraine two major advantages:

• It disrupted Russian offensives aimed at Khotin and Pysarivka.
• It allowed Ukrainian drone teams to hunt down dispersed Russian units during follow-up clearing operations.

Russia stalls as Ukraine secures Sumy frontline

Ukraine’s counteroffensive didn’t just reclaim territory—it shattered Russian morale. In one viral video, 13 Russian soldiers surrender to a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone, raising their hands and following remote instructions to safety. These moments underscore a broader collapse in Russian battlefield cohesion.

Ukrainian forces have since re-entered multiple contested villages and continue to dig in. Meanwhile, Russian commanders are still determined to push toward Khotin, hoping to create a drone strike corridor capable of reaching Sumy city, the regional capital.

But so far, their offensive is losing momentum. By forcing Russian troops into open ground, hitting hard with drones and artillery, and eliminating key officers, Ukraine has regained tactical control over the Sumy front—at least for now.

In our regular frontline report, we pair up with the military blogger Reporting from Ukraine to keep you informed about what is happening on the battlefield in the Russo-Ukrainian war.