The Commander in Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, has confirmed that Russia’s anticipated military offensive in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions has already begun. His remarks follow a warning by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi that the Kremlin was preparing for renewed attacks on Ukraine’s northeastern regions. According to General Syrskyi, Ukrainian forces have observed a near twofold increase in Russian offensive activity across key directions over the past week.
In an interview with Ukrainian media, Syrskyi supported President Zelenskyi’s earlier statement to the French newspaper Le Figaro, noting that Russian troops have intensified combat operations despite ongoing international discussions aimed at easing hostilities. Syrskyi made it clear that Russia’s strategic objectives have not changed. The Kremlin continues to aim at capturing more Ukrainian territory while attempting to degrade Ukraine’s military capabilities.
According to General Syrskyi, Russia is not likely to stop these offensives any time soon. “They continue pursuing the same objectives that have driven their aggression since the beginning of the invasion,” he said. “They are clearly trying to fulfil long standing goals.”
President Zelenskyi recently said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin began preparing for a spring assault on Sumy and Kharkiv eight months ago. The Ukrainian army managed to delay those plans through military intervention in the neighbouring Russian border region of Kursk.
The new wave of attacks signals that Russia is again escalating aggression as spring brings more favourable conditions for ground operations. Ukrainian military leadership has responded by strengthening defensive positions and closely monitoring troop movements along the border.
Despite diplomatic efforts and international appeals for de escalation, Moscow appears committed to intensifying military actions. Ukrainian officials have urged allies to continue support in the form of air defences, weapons systems, and financial backing to resist the Kremlin’s renewed campaign.
