Ukraine's Top General Warns of Potential Russian Assault on City of Sumy

Strategic Insights -

Ukraine's top general, Gen. Oleksander Syrskyi, has expressed concern over a potential Russian assault on the northern city of Sumy, as the war in Ukraine rages on. Russia's President Vladimir Putin has hinted at a possible invasion, saying that Ukraine is part of Russia and that he considers Russians and Ukrainians to be one people. Gen. Syrskyi has spoken about the dire situation, stating that Ukraine has created a special group to defend Sumy and that Russian troops are on the verge of entering the central Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time in three years.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gen. Syrskyi has assigned a special unit to begin building new fortifications in and around Sumy, with a focus on anti-drone nets to protect soldiers from unmanned aerial vehicles.
  • The Russian army has deployed airborne units and marines on the Sumy front, and Gen. Syrskyi believes that the Russians are preparing for a protracted war of attrition.
  • Russia has up to 695,000 troops stationed inside Ukraine, with another 121,000 in reserve, and the size of the Russian army is increasing by 8,000-9,000 soldiers a month.
  • The Ukrainian government is facing concerns that the US may shift its focus to the Middle East conflict, leaving Ukraine without its biggest military ally.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concerns that President Trump's focus on the Israel-Iran issue may mean that the US will not provide new military aid to Ukraine.

Statistics:

  • The population of Sumy is 255,000 (pre-war).
  • The Russian army has up to 695,000 troops stationed inside Ukraine, with another 121,000 in reserve.
  • The size of the Russian army increases by 8,000-9,000 soldiers a month.
  • Ukraine received $64.6 billion in military assistance from the US under former president Joe Biden after the start of the Russian invasion in February, 2022.
  • No new weapons shipments have been authorized by the US since President Trump took office in January.

Sources:

  • The New York Times (February 2022) - The New York Times
  • BBC News (February 2022) - BBC News
  • KyivPost.com (February 2022) -
  • Reuters (February 2022) - Reuters