Russian Forces Cross Ukrainian Border in New Location

Russian forces have crossed the Ukrainian border in a new location as they seek to create a buffer zone along the entire border.

On Wednesday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that Russian forces have captured the village of Konstantinovka in the Sumy region.

Konstantinovka, which sits right on the border with the Kursk region, is a new area of the border that Russian forces had not previously penetrated.

Last week, during a visit to the Kursk region, President Vladimir Putin announced the decision to establish a buffer zone along the entire Russian-Ukrainian border to prevent further incursions into Russian territory and additional strikes on civilians.

The village is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) from the city center of Sumy, the regional capital.

Fighting elsewhere in the region is currently taking place in the town of Yunakovka, the area from which Ukrainian forces launched their invasion into the Kursk region last August.

If Russian forces capture Yunakovka, they would cut off Ukrainian logistics near the border and pave the way for an advance on Sumy from the east.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have also crossed into the Kharkov region, capturing the village of Stroivka.

Reports from Ukrainian social media accounts indicate that Ukrainian forces are struggling to defend the small villages and towns along the border due to manpower shortages.

Additional reports suggest a large buildup of Russian forces along the entire border.

The most significant buildup is reportedly near the Sumy border, where 50,000 Russian soldiers are said to be deployed. Another buildup is reported near Kharkov.

There is also a growing Russian presence in the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine’s Chernigov region. Ukrainian analysts suggest this force may be intended to tie down Ukrainian troops when Russia launches a broader summer offensive, preventing them from reinforcing front-line units, with any prospective offensive expected to come down on Sumy.