Around 100 Russian soldiers entered the border village of Hrabovske in Ukraine’s Sumy region during a surprise attack, and Ukrainian forces are now trying to push them out, a Ukrainian military spokesman said.
Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for Ukraine’s Joint Forces grouping, said on Suspilne that Russian troops moved into the settlement with the aim of seizing it and advancing toward the village of Riasne.
“As of now, they are entrenching in the southern part. Ukrainian forces are trying to dislodge them from their positions. Fighting continues in the village,” Trehubov said.
He noted Hrabovske sits directly on the Russian border, making it unsafe for residents. According to Trehubov, the only way to relatively secure the settlement from attacks would be for Ukrainian troops to advance at least 5 kilometers into Russian territory to create a control zone.
On December 20, media reported that Russian forces stormed the border village in Sumy region and deported 50 local residents.
On December 21, the Joint Forces press service said fighting was continuing in Hrabovske, from where 50 people had been deported.
On December 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces had taken captive not only 52 civilians in Hrabovske but also 13 Ukrainian service members. He said Ukrainian defenders could have destroyed the Russian troops from a distance using artillery and drones but refrained to avoid harming civilians.
Hrabovske is a village in the Krasnopillia settlement community of Sumy region, situated right on the Russian-Ukrainian border on the west bank of the Sanok River. Across the river lies the village of Staroselye in Russia’s Belgorod region. The R45 highway is 11 km away and runs to Sumy (about 40 km to the regional center by road).
After reports about the deportation of 52 residents, analysts published drone footage from Hrabovske and showed the situation on that section of the front. They stated that troops tasked with defending the border were instead holding “picnics,” handing weapons to civilians, and ignoring Russian reconnaissance UAVs. They noted the troops behaved irresponsibly, and that periodic inspections of border areas are needed to assess the real situation and security level.
Speaking on Radio Svoboda, lawmaker Yuriy Kostenko said an investigation is needed to determine who was responsible, what forces and assets were deployed in that direction, what tasks they had, and what they were supposed to do. He stressed that it’s strategically impossible to seal the entire border 100%, but he has information the border was supposed to be covered. He also addressed the civilians deported by Russian forces: Ukraine should find ways to reach residents who refuse to leave because, when Russian troops arrive, people are not asked—they are simply taken away.
“Some people there didn’t want this. Well, this should serve as an example to understand why we urge people to evacuate. When the Russians come, they don’t ask anyone—they just take people and evict them from their homes,” he said.
Sumy regional governor Volodymyr Babych said the border segment near Hrabovske falls under the responsibility of the 14th Corps, and the regional military administration is not responsible for soldiers’ conduct and has no authority to inspect or control them. An investigation has been launched to establish all the circumstances.
On the afternoon of December 23, Viktor Tregubov, head of communications for Ukraine’s Joint Forces grouping, told Suspilne that about 50 Ukrainians were indeed deported from Hrabovske. / He also said 100 Russian soldiers penetrated Ukrainian territory. Russian forces attacked and are trying to entrench themselves in the southern part of the village. Ukrainian troops are attempting to drive them out; fighting is ongoing.
