Russia has been steadily increasing the size of its grouping on the Sumy axis at least since fall 2025 and is gradually shifting activity toward a large forested area northwest of Sumy, according to Ukrainska Pravda’s sources.
The main pressure point remains the area seized between the villages of Pleksiivka–Yablonivka–Yunakivka, Ukrainska Pravda reports, citing an intelligence source. From this bridgehead, Russian forces are pushing along three lines toward Khoten, Pisarivka and Novaya Sech.
A second, less visible but potentially dangerous axis is the Myropillya area, the source said.
Shifting combat from villages where Ukraine’s defense forces are holding positions into dense forest could significantly complicate the defense, the report notes. Fighting would move from relatively open terrain into woods cut by deep ravines, creating favorable conditions for enemy sabotage and infiltration.
“In essence, we’d get a second Serebrianskyy forestr. Forcing the enemy out of a vast ‘green zone’ that conceals everything, from movements to dugouts, will be very difficult,” the report says.
According to mapping by the DeepState analytical project, there has been little active Russian advance on the Sumy axis since the start of the year. Enemy activity was recorded on January 7 near Oleksiivka, where Russian units tried to push toward Pisarivka.
On January 9, the line of contact shifted slightly east of Yunakivka, expanding the so‑called “gray zone” on that part of the front.
Ukraine’s military leadership also did not report Russian advances in Sumy region over the past day. The Ukrainian General Staff said Russia used aviation and artillery to strike defense positions.
“On the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, over the past 24 hours the enemy carried out one airstrike using three guided aerial bombs, and conducted 104 attacks, including eight from multiple launch rocket systems,” the General Staff said in January 31 report.
At the same time, Russian forces remain present in Grabovske, captured in December. Viktor Tregubov, head of communications for the Joint Forces grouping, confirmed Russian units are indeed near the village and trying to entrench, but said there is no basis to claim a significant tactical advance.
He said claims of large-scale enemy movement do not reflect reality. Small enemy groups attempted infiltrations toward Ryasne, located beyond Grabovske, but all failed and did not affect the operational situation.
DeepState analysts said in their evening update on January 29 that Russian forces made gains in two Ukrainian regions. In Dnipropetrovsk region, the enemy took control of another settlement.
