Significant increase in Russian strikes reported in Sumy Oblast

At the beginning of this year, Sumy Oblast has recorded a substantial rise in the number of Russian strikes compared to last year.

Source: Volodymyr Artiukh, Head of Sumy Oblast Military Administration, on air during the 24/7 national joint newscast

Quote: "To be frank, we've had four times as many strikes – 338 in these five days compared to last year... The use of FPV drones has increased substantially; there were none last year, but there are now over 130. These include guided aerial bombs, Shaheds and other unmanned aerial vehicles."

Details: Artiukh applauded the "fairly effective" performance of air defence units and volunteer formations.

He reports 44 Russian drones were downed in the oblast within the first five days of January.

The Sumy Oblast Military Administration later confirmed that the number of attacks has quadrupled since last year. The Russians' most regularly utilised weapons include guided aerial bombs, FPV drones, and other unmanned aerial vehicles. More specifically, 129 strikes have been carried out with FPV drones during the first five days of 2025.

Settlements in the Sumy and Shostka districts have been worst hit by artillery shelling and aerial strikes.

At the same time, the military administration emphasised that there have been no recorded instances of Russian forces crossing the Ukrainian border into Sumy Oblast.

Quote from Military Administration: ‘As for the situation on the ground: individual sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the enemy have entered Ukrainian territory, but their actions have been swiftly dealt with by Ukrainian Armed Forces units and border guards. Most Russian sabotage groups have been eliminated."

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