The situation in the area under the control of the “Kursk” military grouping remains stable and manageable, according to a statement from the communication center of the grouping on April 20.
Military officials reported that there have been no significant actions from the opposing forces that could be characterized as breakthroughs or attempts to encircle the city. They emphasized that any claims to this effect are unfounded, noting that wherever Russian forces have attempted offensive operations in the region, they have faced strong resistance without achieving any success.
The military urged the public to rely on official information from defense forces and to verify any information obtained from questionable sources. They cautioned that unverified rumors regarding potential threats to the regional center could contribute to societal destabilization and provoke panic among civilians.
Viktor Trehubov, head of the communications department for the Joint Forces Group, commented to RBK-Ukraine that assertions about the threat of encirclement of Sumy are inaccurate. He acknowledged the existence of Russian offensives but stated that current Russian positions are significantly distant from the city, with minimal penetration into Ukrainian territory. He asserted that any narratives suggesting a feasible approach to Sumy from the east do not reflect reality.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation, indicated that while there is a zone of Russian army infiltration near the border in the Sumy region, there is currently no breakthrough into the interior of the area.
Kovalenko added that Ukrainian defense forces are actively working to prevent the enemy from expanding their presence in Sumy, noting significant losses on the Russian side. Reports from the DeepState project indicated that the Russian army had advanced approximately 10 kilometers along a broad front east of Sumy as of the evening of April 13, near the villages of Myropil’s’ke, Mariyne, and Novodmytrivka.
Ukrainian military officials report a stable situation in the Sumy region, countering claims of Russian advances. They emphasize the importance of relying on verified information to avoid public panic.