Russian forces escalate attacks on Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts - AFU Commander-in-Chief

Syrskyi confirmed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s earlier warnings that Moscow is preparing for a new major offensive in these oblasts.

“The President is absolutely right, and this offensive has, in fact, already begun,” Syrskyi said.

He explained that over the past week, Ukrainian forces have observed a nearly twofold increase in Russia’s offensive actions across all major directions.

Syrskyi said Russia is continuing its strategic offensive operation with the goal of capturing more Ukrainian territory, defeating the Defense Forces, and pushing deeper into Ukraine.

He reiterated that Russia’s broader military objectives include the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts full occupation, as well as partial control over Kherson and Zaporizhzhya oblasts. Additionally, Moscow seeks to establish a “buffer zone” within Ukraine’s Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv oblasts.

Russia’s renewed offensive efforts

On April 3, Presidential Office Deputy Head Pavlo Palisa said Russia was planning to expand its military force to 150,000 troops.

On April 1, Volodymyr Fokin, commander of the 1st Assault Battalion of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade, said Russia was preparing for a new assault for over a month and could begin an offensive in April.

On March 29, Associated Press cited Ukrainian military and government analysts who warned that Russia’s next large-scale push could cover more than 1,000 kilometers of front line — aimed at increasing pressure on Ukraine and strengthening Russia’s leverage ahead of potential ceasefire negotiations.

In a March 26 interview with Le Figaro, President Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing for an offensive in Sumy and Kharkiv and was buying time to amass forces.