Ukraine appears to be ramping up its cross-border assaults and efforts to penetrate Russian territory, as ground fighting continues without pause on both sides despite efforts by the U.S. to negotiate peace.

Ukrainian forces have responded to Russian efforts to expel them from one part of Russian territory by launching a large number of attacks on another border area, using drones, artillery and troops.

The Sumy region, in northeastern Ukraine, borders Russia's Kursk region. Since August 6, 2024, Ukrainian forces had occupied a small area near the town of Sudzha. However, outnumbered by Russian and North Korean forces, the Ukrainians are now believed to control only 80 square kilometers of Russian territory.