Here, Russians are launching a large-scale cross-border operation, threatening the rear of Ukrainian forces in Sumy. Quick to respond, Ukrainian airstrikes began raining down fire on the Russian forces, destroying reserves and taking the head off the Russian snake, with the Russian air force nowhere to be seen. Russia has launched a new offensive vector along Ukraine’s northeastern border, attempting to complement its pressure from the north toward the city of Sumy with a pincer push from the east. Russian units have gradually moved into several settlements along the border area, exploiting gaps and gray zones to expand their foothold and support those trying to infiltrate from the north through the forests. The main Russian focus has been the area around the villages of Hrabovske and Pokrovka, from where Russian troops want to advance into nearby forests held primarily by Ukrainian Territorial Defense forces. Other incursions have followed, with Russian troops entering additional settlements, abducting civilians, and using them as cover during the raids. However, Ukraine has responded aggressively, relying heavily on air power to blunt the emerging offensive before it can consolidate by targeting enemy assault formations. The air campaign quickly expanded to target Russian assault formations themselves. Ukrainian Mig-29 jets destroyed a deployment site of the Chechen Akhmat unit near Kucheriv village. Additional Hammer strikes hit concentrations of Russian troops south of Terebreno. Finally, Ukrainian aircraft struck the main Russian gathering point in the sector around Hrabovske, destroying assault groups and ammunition supplies intended to support the eastern pincer of the offensive.

Source: Russians lose jets in the battle for Sumy