Russia ramps up offensives in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy oblasts

Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported a sharp intensification of Russian offensive operations across the front lines in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Sumy oblasts, with particular focus on Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Lyman, and cross-border assaults in northeastern Ukraine. In a strategic review of May’s operations, Syrskyi stated that Ukraine inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces, claiming over 34,000 Russian soldiers were killed during the month. Ukrainian defenses, bolstered by artillery, aviation, and drones, have been striking enemy formations before they reach Ukrainian positions, while reserves are being deployed to shore up vulnerable areas under pressure.

The escalation in Zaporizhzhia signals a shift in Russia’s offensive priorities, even as it continues probing attacks in Donetsk and cross-border raids into Sumy Oblast. Ukrainian officials warned of a possible new Russian incursion into Sumy from Kursk Oblast, where Moscow has concentrated significant forces. Meanwhile, Ukraine has taken the fight across the border, targeting 58 Russian military facilities in May, including drone production sites and explosive material factories. Fierce clashes continue near Kursk, where elite Russian units have been diverted from eastern Ukraine, underscoring the expanding scale of the conflict.

Hundreds of domestic animals were killed and tonnes of grain burned due to the Russian overnight attack in the Sumy oblast

On the night of May 30–31, five Russian drones struck a farm in a village within the Romny hromada of Sumy Oblast, causing widespread destruction. The attack ignited fires that destroyed farm buildings, killed hundreds of livestock, and obliterated dozens of tonnes of stored grain. In a separate incident, a drone struck a vehicle delivering bread in the Nedryhailiv hromada, injuring the driver, who later received medical care.

In addition to the drone strikes, agricultural facilities in the Trostianets district were targeted with two missiles and 13 more UAVs. These attacks resulted in the destruction of company premises and several vehicles, intensifying the pressure on Ukraine’s already strained agricultural sector and underlining Russia’s ongoing campaign against civilian infrastructure.

Mandatory evacuations announced for 11 more settlements in Sumy Oblast

Amid ongoing Russian attacks and escalating threats to civilian lives, local authorities in Sumy Oblast have ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents from 11 additional settlements in the Sumy district. These include Horobivka in the Richky hromada; Shtanivka, Voronivka, and Yanchenky in the Bilopillia hromada; Tsymbalivka and Shkurativka in the Vorozhba hromada; and Krovne, Mykolaivka, Rudnivka, Spaske, and Kapitanivka in the Mykolaivka hromada. The regional administration has pledged to provide transportation, humanitarian assistance, temporary housing, and social support to evacuees.

Authorities stressed the urgency of the situation, warning residents not to delay their departure from these high-risk zones. A total of 213 settlements across Sumy Oblast are now under mandatory evacuation orders as Russian forces continue their relentless shelling and drone attacks along the border. Officials emphasized that the primary goal is to safeguard every civilian life amid the intensifying hostilities.