The enemy’s sabotage and reconnaissance groups (DRGs) are now attempting to move closer to the southern and southeastern parts of Sumy Oblast, after initially being concentrated in the north, according to Ukrainian official Demchenko.
He noted that Russian forces are trying to shift the fighting from Kursk Oblast to Ukrainian territory, having amassed enough troops to push Ukrainian Defense Forces out of Kursk.
"Our task is to hold our defenses to prevent the enemy from advancing, especially toward Novenke and Zhuravka," Demchenko emphasized.
The enemy is employing small assault groups aiming to quickly cross the border and gather forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on March 20 that Russia is building up troops in Sumy Oblast to push Ukrainian forces out of Kursk. However, Ukrainian forces are responding with a shift in strategy.
On March 18, Vadym Mysnyk, spokesperson for the Siversk operational-tactical group, reported that many Russian units that had been fighting in Kursk are now advancing toward the Sumy border.