Tensions Run High as Ukrainian Troops Advance at Sudzha Crossing

The distance from the Ukrainian city of Sumy to the Russian border is relatively brief. In just about seventy-five minutes, one can reach a torn-up Ukrainian border post and gaze over two lines of fencing into the fields of Russia. However, that territory is no longer under the control of the Kremlin.

The Sudzha crossing, currently about five miles from the frontline within Russia’s Kursk oblast, remains firmly under Ukrainian control a week after the recent incursion. Instead of hearing incoming shells, the sounds of outgoing artillery are what fills the area, showcasing the operational advantage held by Ukrainian forces.

Military guards at the location, armed and alert, restrict further access into Russia. The government in Kyiv has stated that it has no intention to occupy this territory long-term. The Ukrainian foreign ministry characterized the incursion as necessary to protect its people, framing it as a strategic move to target Russia where it is perceived to be vulnerable.

Video footage from the beginning of Ukraine’s incursion depicted Russian border personnel surrendering, caught off guard by a swift and mobile assault. While the Ukrainian border post showed signs of damage, much of the destruction dates back to earlier conflicts in the war. The most striking evidence of the recent military action appears to be the clearing of old debris and rubble from the roads.

Despite the passage of eight days, military vehicles adorned with white-painted triangles continue to traverse the area, indicating an ongoing operational capacity. Ukrainian sources claim that thousands of troops were committed to this incursion, and the presence of additional armored vehicles signals an escalation of military activity in the region compared to earlier phases of the conflict.

Reports from civilians in nearby villages indicate a surge of Russian glide bombing and artillery shelling following the commencement of the incursion on August 6. However, there are early indications that some Ukrainian territories might be experiencing a reduction in attacks, possibly due to the repositioning of Russian artillery.

Yet, along the northern and northwestern boundaries of Sumy, where the frontline remains at the border, tension lingers as military operations intensify. During a visit by aid workers to the seemingly abandoned village of Bilopillya, a group of mostly older inhabitants appeared suddenly to collect food packages, hurriedly taking what they could and leaving in silence.

Nearby, 67-year-old Mykola Martinenko described his current living conditions. He sleeps in a basement alongside a neighbor, explaining, “this is how we live.” Russian shelling has worsened progressively, becoming more frequent since the incursion. Disturbingly loud explosions could be heard echoing in the background during his recounting.

Martinenko shared that he has no plans to leave his home, even after relocating from the front lines of Mariupol, hoping to find safety in a quieter northern region. “I lived near Azovstal,” he mentioned, referring to the well-known steel plant tied to the last stand of Ukrainian soldiers in May 2022. However, some residents of the village are packing up for good.

Inna, a 31-year-old mother of two, revealed the unbearable nature of the situation as she described powerful shelling. At her side were her children, Rostyslav and Snizhana, ages six and three, respectively. “It has become too loud; I’m terrified for the children,” she stated. She plans to evacuate to Sumy and ultimately relocate further away due to the dangers present.

Inna supports the Ukrainian military’s actions, believing, “It’s good they went in there,” yet she feels overwhelmed by the ongoing suffering. Recently, about 3,800 individuals have evacuated from the northern Sumy region, as reported by regional governor Volodymyr Artyukh.

The evacuation has transformed Bilopillya into a desolate area, as characterized by its mayor, Yuri Zarko, who noted that he operates from a basement bunker with a small team. Zarko guided observers around previous bomb sites, revealing his earlier aspirations to foster industrial development, such as a green hydrogen plant, which have been thwarted by the invasion launched by Russia in February 2022. Now, he half-jokingly proposes that the area’s best hope for recovery would be the establishment of NATO bases nearby, suggesting that a military presence could help address the population decline.