Russia may launch new offensive in Sumy region – Ukraine’s intelligence head

Russian occupation troops may launch a new attack north of Kharkiv in the Sumy region.

In an interview with the New York Times, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate at the Ministry of Defense, shared his forecast for Russia's potential aggression in the ongoing war.

The head of Ukrainian intelligence expects that the attacks in the Kharkiv region "will continue for another three or four days," after which the invaders will probably make an offensive in the direction of Sumy.

The head of Ukraine's intelligence noted that the goal of the Russians in the northeast was to sow panic and turmoil in the region.

"For now, our task is to stabilize the line and then start pushing them across the border," Budanov said.

The intelligence chief added that the influx of Ukrainian reserves managed to "partially disrupt the plans" of the Russians.

Budanov believes that Russian attacks in the northeast are intended to stretch the already small reserves of Ukrainian soldiers and divert them from fighting elsewhere. The head of intelligence admitted that this is exactly what is happening now.

The Defense Forces are attempting to relocate troops from other regions of the front line to bolster the defense in the northeast, at the request of the chief of intelligence. However, it has proven challenging to source personnel for this task.

"All our forces are either here or in Chasiv Yar. I have used everything we have. Unfortunately, we have no one left in reserve," Budanov said.

He estimated that Ukrainian forces would be able to strengthen the lines and stabilize the front during the next few days. But he expects Russia to launch a new attack on the Sumy region.

For reference:

According to the Ministry of Defense, on May 10, around 5 a.m., the enemy attempted to break through the defense line under the cover of armored vehicles. Reserve units have been sent to strengthen the defense on this part of the front.

On the morning of May 12, the National Guard unit "Hostri Kartuzy" ["Peaky Blinders" – ed.] reported that the Ukrainian military had withdrawn from some positions. DeepState analysts said the invaders advanced near Krasnohorivka and Volodymyrivka, occupying several villages north of the region.

On the morning of May 13, it became known that the Russian invaders occupied several more villages and continued approaching the city of Vovchansk.

The ISW said that on May 13, Russian forces continued tactically significant offensives to the north and northeast of the city of Kharkiv and currently appear to be prioritizing the rapid creation of a "buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine rather than advancing deep into the region.

Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, said that Russia had gathered about 50,000 soldiers on the border with the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. More than 30,000 occupiers are participating in the new offensive to the north of the region.