Russia has amassed an estimated 50,000 troops around the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy, pushing Ukrainian forces into a precarious position and opening a new axis of advance after earlier gains in the Kursk region. The Russian military now significantly outnumbers Ukrainian defenders in the area by a ratio of 3-to-1, according to frontline sources.

General Oleksandr Syrskiy, Ukraine’s top commander, described Russia’s strategy as a war of attrition. “They want to wear us down with their numbers,” he said. The Kremlin’s pressure continues despite ceasefire talks in Türkiye and U.S. President Trump’s frustration with Moscow’s refusal to de-escalate.

Ukrainian Elite Units Plug the Gaps

In response to the sudden Russian thrust, Ukraine has deployed special operations forces from its military intelligence directorate (HUR), including the Timur Special Forces Unit. Their counterassaults helped claw back territory, but not without significant cost.

“It was the cruelest fight I’ve ever been in,” said Mark, a 25-year-old platoon commander, recalling a seven-hour firefight. Russian troops reportedly used everything from drones to cluster munitions. “We never had more than a five-minute break,” he said. All members of his team survived, though several were wounded or concussed.

Defensive Failures and Frontline Exposure

Despite holding parts of the Kursk region earlier this year, Ukrainian soldiers returning to the Sumy front have found inadequate defenses—outdated trenches and poor drone cover. “We are digging under drone fire,” said one soldier. “Every day a position isn’t ready is a day someone might not come back.”

Commanders also noted that areas now under Russian pressure had not been mined. Infantry leader Kyrylo criticized the preparation: “It’s like they prepared for tank columns, not a battlefield filled with drones.”

A Growing Toll, A Costly Defense

Timur Special Forces commander “Kappa” said Russia is losing 300 to 400 troops daily in the region but continues to send in reserves. “Their numbers are a big problem for us,” he warned.

While Ukraine has stabilized the line in Sumy for now, officials and soldiers alike say the human cost is growing. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov responded by stating that fortifications were being upgraded, but admitted such measures must adapt quickly to Russian tactics.