Putin Hints at Potential Control of Sumy Amidst Ongoing Border Tensions

On Friday, President Vladimir Putin mentioned that he does not completely dismiss the possibility of Russian forces seizing control of Sumy, a city in northeastern Ukraine, as part of efforts to establish a buffer zone along the border.

«We are not specifically aiming to capture Sumy, but I can’t entirely rule it out… They consistently pose a threat to us by shelling border regions,» Putin stated during Russia’s leading economic forum in St. Petersburg.

Located approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border, Sumy has faced intense bombardment since Russia commenced its invasion in February 2022.

In a series of assertive comments, Putin reiterated his stance on the legitimacy of Ukrainian sovereignty.

«I view Russians and Ukrainians as one people. In that regard, all of Ukraine belongs to us,» he remarked.

«There is a saying: wherever a Russian soldier marches, it is considered ours.»

These statements cast further doubt on the possibility of peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

For several months, Russia has consistently rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire and has insisted that Ukraine relinquish additional territories as a precondition for any discussions.

Last August, Ukraine initiated a counter-offensive into Russia’s western Kursk area from the northeastern Sumy region.

Ukrainian forces managed to seize numerous border settlements, maintaining control for several months before being driven out earlier this year by Russian troops, bolstered by thousands of North Korean soldiers.

In response, Putin has instructed his military to establish what he terms a «buffer zone» within Ukrainian territory along the Russian border.

In recent weeks, Russian forces have captured several border settlements in the Sumy region.

On Friday, Putin indicated that his troops are positioned up to 12 kilometers inside Ukrainian territory in the area, which is not among the five regions that Moscow claims to have officially annexed.