Can Russia Break Through in Sumy? Assessing the Diversionary Tactics Against Ukraine's Forces.

Frontline Update

According to UATV: On March 23, 2023, Serhiy Bratchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, reported increased activity by Russian occupation forces near the Sumy axis. According to him, these troops are attempting to divert Ukrainian military units, but they lack the necessary resources to accomplish even their most basic objectives. Bratchuk stated that

“the northern group of Russian occupation forces is currently conducting combat operations along the North-Slobozhansky, South-Slobozhansky, and Kharkiv directions”

Key Objectives and Ukrainian Counterattacks

The primary goal of these Russian maneuvers is to establish a buffer zone. However, Bratchuk emphasized that these efforts cannot shift the overall balance of power on the frontline:

“Yet it is incapable of changing the general balance of forces at the front”

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s defense forces are conducting counterattacks on the Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia fronts. The situation remains tense, with Ukrainian troops actively responding to enemy actions across multiple sectors. Mykola Malomuzh, a former head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (2005–2010) and now a general in the Ukrainian army, has highlighted the importance of proactive Ukrainian operations to counter occupier provocations.

The Russian activity near Sumy underscores the ongoing conflict and the occupiers’ desire to secure new tactical positions. Yet, given their insufficient resources to meet stated goals, Ukraine retains a strong defensive posture. Counteroffensives by Ukrainian forces on other fronts—particularly around Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia—demonstrate Kyiv’s readiness to respond aggressively to threats. This may signal that Ukraine holds the strategic initiative and can adapt effectively to changing battlefield conditions.