Russian force insufficient for breakthrough into Sumy Oblast — Ukrainian official / The New Voice of Ukraine

The Russian force deployed near Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast is currently insufficient for a rapid breakthrough across the border, Andrii Kovalenko, director of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, said in a Telegram post on May 17.

Kovalenko said that, at this stage, there is no imminent threat of regional capitals like Sumy or Kharkiv being encircled or occupied.

“On the Kharkiv and Sumy fronts, there are no significant groupings of enemy forces capable of rapid breakthroughs at this time,” he said.

“The enemy may operate in the border area, but these are limited operations. As for Sumy—the defense forces are ready. It’s important that you know this.”

Previously, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, had said that Russian attacks in Kharkiv Oblast would continue “for another three to four days,” after which Russian forces are expected to launch a major offensive towards Sumy.

On May 14, authorities urged residents of Sumy Oblast to evacuate from the 10-kilometer-deep zone near the Russian border.