By John Q. Hosedrinker 
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian forces have made gains in Sumy Oblast, liberating six of eighteen occupied villages or significant locations. The Ukrainian military has also reached the border with the Russian Federation in two areas within Sumy Oblast. Furthermore, advancements have been made, with an additional 900 meters cleared near several border points. While holding positions in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukrainian forces have also advanced one kilometer into Russian positions in Luhansk Oblast.
Read the original article here
Zelenskyy: Ukrainian forces liberate 6 of 18 occupied villages or key locations in Sumy Oblast—let’s unpack this. It’s the sort of news that lands with a mix of emotions, right? On one hand, it’s a positive development. Six areas back under Ukrainian control. That’s something to celebrate, especially for the people in Sumy Oblast who’ve been living under occupation. It’s understandable that leaders would want to highlight such wins, offering a boost to morale, reminding people that they’re not forgotten, and that their sacrifices are not in vain.
However, we’ve got to be realistic. There’s a war raging, a brutal, grinding war. If these liberated locations push the Russian forces a significant distance, like 40 kilometers away from Sumy, then it has genuine strategic importance. But if these are just symbolic victories, then we must consider the broader context. And the broader context, from what I understand, is one of a difficult situation for Ukraine, including losses of ground across the front. Some reports even suggest a potential breakthrough and a risk of encirclement in certain areas.
The way Zelenskyy framed the announcement is also worth noting. He stated “villages *or* important locations.” This ambiguity could mean anything from a handful of villages recaptured to a few strategically important points, like hilltops or roads, without mentioning the actual number of villages retaken. Transparency is always key in a war, but it is especially crucial when managing public perception and shaping the narrative. While it can be seen as a morale boost and a show of strength, others may perceive it differently given the overall strategic situation.
The sentiment I’m getting is that in the grand scheme of the war, these gains in Sumy might not be as significant as some are suggesting. Ukraine may be losing considerable ground elsewhere, even if they’re gaining here. The focus seems to be on attritional warfare, where both sides are slowly wearing each other down. This is a long game and the outcome will largely depend on a mix of factors, including the willingness of the West to keep supporting Ukraine and the internal resilience of both sides.
The question of what constitutes a “win” becomes complex. Taking a few villages can be good news for some, but not when it diverts attention from more serious issues, like potential strategic losses or high-level failures in command. I’ve seen concerns about how things are unfolding, and there’s an argument to be made that focusing on smaller wins can be a distraction. It’s easy to become skeptical in a war, and that skepticism intensifies with every report that seems to play down setbacks, especially when the cost is measured in lives and territory.
That brings us to peace talks, which is an inevitability to the war. The prevailing opinion, which has some weight, is that Ukraine will be forced to make some land concessions. If that does happen, who knows if that concession will involve territories such as Sumy. The main question for Ukraine is how the West will respond. If the West doesn’t step up with significant security guarantees, then the possibility of further invasions could be real. Securing a lasting peace and protecting Ukraine’s future might require hard choices and tough negotiations.
The importance of the Sumy Oblast gains, or any gains at this point, shouldn’t overshadow the big picture. While Ukraine is defending its land, there are critical questions about what support they are getting, how effective the support is, and what the ultimate goals are. In the fog of war, it is easy to get caught up in details. The key is to assess the context.