Russian forces are conducting remote mining operations in the village of Hrabovske on Ukraine’s northern Sumy front to prevent Ukrainian counterattacks, Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for the Joint Forces Operation, told Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne on 4 January.
Sumy Oblast borders Russia and has faced persistent shelling, drone strikes, and cross-border incursions since the start of the full-scale invasion, making it a recurring pressure point along Ukraine’s northern frontier.
Advance into Sumy "did not work out"
“They went in there and are conducting remote mining to prevent Ukrainian counterattacks. It seems they planned to advance further into Sumy, but it did not work out. So they are turning Hrabovske into a small forward post, although it is directly on the border,” Trehubov said.
He added that Russian troops have also attempted to probe the border in other locations, including areas some distance from Hrabovske, and that Russian activity in the southern part of Sumy Oblast intensified about two weeks ago.
December incursion: 52 civilians abducted
About a hundred Russian soldiers entered Hrabovske in December, occupying local homes and relying heavily on FPV drones for reconnaissance. Ukrainian forces reported that the incursions into nearby border settlements were largely unsuccessful.
During the December incursion, the 36th Russian Brigade abducted 52 civilians, including children, and captured 13 Ukrainian soldiers. Trehubov confirmed these details, emphasizing that the occupation of Hrabovske and neighboring Riasne is not related to controlling the strategic Sumy-Kharkiv road.
Expert: incursion likely an intimidation tactic
Military expert Pavlo Narozhnyi told Suspilne that Hrabovske and nearby Riasne are not strategically important and that the incursion was likely intended to intimidate residents and serve as a diversion.
Ukrainian authorities have dismissed reports of mass withdrawals by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the region.
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