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Euronews
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Zelenskyy: Russia gathers 50,000 troops at Ukrainian border near Sumy
Russia is amassing 50,000 troops at the border with Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, in what he claims is a bid by Moscow to create a 10-kilometre buffer zone in the area. "Now, they are accumulating troops in the direction of Sumy, over 50,000. We understand, but have had success there," Zelensky said on Wednesday, adding that Russia is also concentrating its "best troops" in the neighbouring Kursk region. Moscow has intensified its military efforts towards Ukraine's Sumy region in the past few weeks. Kyiv confirmed that Moscow forces managed to capture four villages close to the region's border with Russia. The Sumy regional governor stated that the residents of these settlements had been evacuated long ago, and "there is no threat to civilians." Around 56,000 civilians had been evacuated from the region amid escalating Russian aggression and daily attacks and shelling, Oleh Hryhorov announced. Kyiv repeatedly said that Russia planned to launch an offensive into the Sumy region as early as 2024, but the plan was disrupted by Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region. Recently, the Ukrainian military also warned that Russia may be preparing new attacks on Kharkiv as Moscow gathered its troops close to the border with the region. Andrii Pomahaibus, the chief of staff of Ukraine's 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade, said Russia is trying to move the troops closer to the contact line, but has so far failed to carry out attacks. Moscow has repeatedly indicated plans to create a buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia in the area. Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed his government, saying, "A decision has been made to establish a necessary security buffer zone. Our armed forces are currently carrying out this task." His remarks came after regional officials in Russia's Kursk region urged stronger border measures. Putin noted the zone would be along the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, which border Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions. Russia is now preparing for a new offensive, possibly over the summer, the Ukrainian military has said. The fighting has intensified along all of Ukraine's frontlines, stretching for over 1,000 kilometres across multiple regions of the country. On Tuesday, Zelenskyy said Russia mobilises around 40,000 to 45,000 men for its military every month, while Ukraine mobilises about 25,000 to 27,000. Ukraine's president said it is yet another indicator of Moscow intensifying its war efforts despite numerous calls from Kyiv, Brussels and Washington to agree to an unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward a peace deal. "When the US sends signals that it wants to do something positive with Russia, then Russia ramps up its mobilisation," Zelenskyy said. On Monday, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported that Russia has already lost almost 1 million troops in its ongoing all-out war against Ukraine. US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said that Washington's estimates suggest that total casualties on both sides since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine have exceeded 1 million people. Donald Trump has said Canada will have to pay $61bn (€54bn) to benefit from the US' 'Golden Dome' missile defence system if it remains what he called 'a separate, but unequal, nation'. Writing on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday evening, the US president added that Ottawa would not have to pay anything if it became 'our cherished 51st state'. Trump unveiled the Golden Dome plan last week in the Oval Office. Although the details are still scant, he claimed the scheme, which he said would cost $175 billion (€154bn), would enable the US to intercept missiles launched from anywhere, including space. Canada, which has distanced itself from the US since Trump took office, has expressed an interest in joining the programme. Trump's message on Truth Social about Canada and the Golden Dome system came just hours after the UK's King Charles spoke in the Canadian parliament. The monarch's speech on Tuesday was widely seen as a show of support for Canada — which is part of the British Commonwealth — in the face of annexation threats from Trump. 'We must face reality: since the Second World War, our world has never been more dangerous and unstable. Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented,' Charles said. He also stressed Canada's independence, saying that the 'True North is indeed strong and free'. Charles' appearance followed the election victory of Mark Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England, last month. On the campaign trail, Carney successfully positioned himself as the best candidate to stand up to Trump, who had recently introduced tariffs against Canada. Celebrating his election win in late April, the Canadian prime minister said Trump had tried to 'break us, so that America can own us'. 'We are over the shock of the American betrayal. But we will never forget the lessons,' he said.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia massing troops near Kharkiv Oblast ahead of possible attack, military warns
Russia may be preparing to launch new attacks in the Kharkiv sector, as indicated by the buildup of its forces near the Ukrainian border, Andrii Pomahaibus, the chief of staff of Ukraine's 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade, said on May 21. Speaking to Suspilne, Pomahaibus said that Russia is trying to move its forces closer to the contact line, but has so far failed to carry out attacks. The reported preparations indicate Moscow's efforts to escalate the war despite calls by Kyiv and its partners for an unconditional 30-day truce. "There is an accumulation of personnel closer to the state border, that is, there are attempts to involve the (Russian) personnel, obviously preparing for active assault operations. Our Defense Forces are ready to repel attacks," he said. In April, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces were regrouping and preparing for a renewed assault on Kharkiv Oblast. President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that Moscow had attempted to advance in Sumy Oblast, continuing its pressure on Ukraine's northeastern regions as part of what Kyiv described as a new spring offensive. The Financial Times reported on May 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials, that Russia seems to be preparing a significant offensive in Ukraine as it is moving troops toward key positions on the front. Russia has rejected ceasefire proposals unless accompanied by a halt on military aid for Ukraine and continues ground assaults along the front and long-range strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. Read also: 'No one saw surrender as an option' – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia using Easter ceasefire to prepare assault in Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian military says
Russian forces used the supposed temporary Easter ceasefire to reinforce positions and prepare for renewed assaults in Kharkiv Oblast, a spokesperson for Ukraine's 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade told Suspilne on April 20. Russia "is actively using the so-called Easter truce to amass personnel," the brigade's press service said. "There is a very high likelihood they plan to use this pause as a pretext to resume active offensive operations." The statement comes as Ukraine accuses Russia of multiple violations of the Easter truce, with Moscow also continuing to reject a broader ceasefire deal supported by Kyiv and Washington. Although Russian artillery fire has decreased, the spokesperson noted that drone attacks on Ukrainian positions have intensified. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the so-called Easter ceasefire on April 19. The Kremlin framed the truce, set to last from 6 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 through midnight on April 21, as a "humanitarian" gesture. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia used the holiday truce to stage nearly 3,000 ceasefire violations, citing briefings from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The violations reportedly included 96 ground assaults, nearly 1,900 artillery strikes, and the deployment of more than 950 first-person-view drones. Ukrainian units in the Kharkiv Oblast have maintained a strictly defensive posture, responding only to direct Russian attacks to defend troops and hold the line, according to the Khartiia Brigade. "Our forces are firing only in response (to Russian attacks)," the spokesperson told Suspilne. Russia has been pressing a new spring offensive in Ukraine's northeast, with Zelensky warning earlier this month that attacks on Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts are part of broader plans to seize large parts of territory. "They have not changed their plans," he said, noting a continued Russian focus on Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as well. According to Zelensky, Russia's largest tactical gains came in late 2024 but have since stalled amid rising losses. It has been more than a month since Russia rejected a full 30-day ceasefire suggested by the U.S. administration. Kyiv maintains it is ready for a complete ceasefire if Moscow agrees to reciprocate. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Moscow violates 'Easter truce,' Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
