Russia's summer offensive halted, as Ukraine regains lost territory
In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the northern front around Sumy and its surrounding contested areas has seen continued fighting, but no significant Russian advances have been confirmed as of mid-August 2025.
Russian troops have persistently attacked and pushed probing assaults along the northern approaches to Sumy, with some marginal advances reported in localized areas. However, no clear breakthrough or territorial gains approaching Sumy City proper have been confirmed by independent sources.
Ukrainian forces, despite facing persistent attacks, have demonstrated resilience, counterattacking multiple times to maintain control of key settlements such as Novokostyantynivka. They have also been successful in slowing the Russian advance by targeting supply routes and logistics, including instances where entire roads have been destroyed.
The Russian objective seems to be to create defensible buffer zones along the northern border region and get within artillery range of Sumy City. However, this goal has not yet been realized, as of August 12-13, 2025. Reports suggest that Russian airborne (VDV) units have been redeployed to reinforce northern Sumy positions, but there have also been setbacks, including elements of Russian troops stranded or isolated after evacuation failures near Sadky northeast of Sumy.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Ukraine, such as near Pokrovsk in Donetsk region farther south, Russia has made recent breakthroughs in defensive lines, marking one of its most significant battlefield gains in months. However, this is separate from the northern Sumy front.
In a positive development for Ukraine, recent gains have been made, with Ukrainian forces reportedly regaining around 10 to 15 square kilometers of land and two villages in Sumy.
The Russian army in Ukraine is relying heavily on massive bombardments with aircraft bombs, drones, and artillery. To reinforce its troops for the Ukraine war, Russia is reportedly adding around 9,000 soldiers each month.
As the conflict continues, the northern front around Sumy remains contested with heavy fighting, but no decisive Russian breakthrough or territorial gain has been reported recently. The resilient Ukrainian defenses and ongoing counterattacks suggest a protracted struggle for control in this region.
The political landscape remains nuanced amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, particularly around Sumy, where Russian attacks persist along the northern front, albeit without major advances or breakthroughs as of August 2025. Meanwhile, independent sources confirm Ukrainian forces' success in general-news stories, such as regaining territories and maintaining control of key settlements, demonstrating their resilience against Russia's military aggression.
