Fortifications of three defence lines strengthened in Sumy Oblast – Pivnich Operational Command

The Defence Forces of Ukraine are strengthening the fortifications of the first, second and third defence lines in Sumy Oblast, in the country's north. Source: Radio Liberty, with reference to Vadym Mysnyk, spokesperson of the Pivnich (North) Operational Command Quote: "The Defence Forces in Sumy Oblast are performing combat missions of holding the state border and deterring Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups and the military from the Russian Federation.

At the moment, the Defence Forces in the region are increasing the density of the first, second and third lines."

Details: Mysnyk stated that the Ukrainian forces in Sumy Oblast were considering different scenarios of how the events may unfold in the regions and preparing for them but "as of now, we do not see a big grouping of the enemy [that would be enough] for a large-scale invasion of Sumy Oblast". Over the past week, the number of Russian attacks on the border areas of Sumy Oblast has increased significantly. On 13 March, the evacuation of civilians from the village of Velyka Pysarivka, which is currently the main target of the Russians, started.

Power and gas supply is down in the district due to the intensity of the attacks. It is impossible for the evacuation groups to reach the villages located right on the border with Russia. On 18 March, the police reported that the evacuation of the residents of the Okhtyrka district in Sumy Oblast was ongoing.

Background: The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has published a number of photographs showing the construction of fortifications on the Zaporizhzhia front and in Sumy Oblast.

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