Battle of Sumy

File:Бої за Суми - 2.jpg

Russian units began to move into Sumy Oblast on 24 February 2022. Russian military vehicles were spotted near the villages of Bezdryk, {{ill|Holovashivka|uk|Головашівка (Сумський район)}}, and {{ill|Postolne|uk|Постольне (Сумський район)}} by 13:35, and Ukrainian officials announced that a battle had broken out in the city on the Bilopillia highway by 13:40.{{cite web|title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень перший. Онлайн|url=https://suspilne.media/210133-voennij-stan-so-vidbuvaetsa-u-sumah-2/|website=Суспільне. Новини|language=uk|date=2022-03-03|access-date=2022-03-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://24tv.ua/rosiya-atakuvala-ukrayinski-mista-de-vidbulisya-boyi_n1877474|title=Росія атакувала українські міста: де відбулися бої|language=uk-UA|website=24 Канал|access-date=25 February 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225025620/https://24tv.ua/rosiya-atakuvala-ukrayinski-mista-de-vidbulisya-boyi_n1877474|url-status=live}} There was an extensive amount of urban warfare between the Ukrainian defenders and Russian forces. The first fighting took place at the northern and western entrances to the city, on the Kursk highway and Bilopillia highway, respectively. The fiercest combat took place on Kondratieva street, near the city's cadet school, where the Ukrainian 27th Artillery Brigade was stationed.{{cite web|url=http://www.golos.com.ua/article/364477|access-date=2024-03-03|website=Holos Ukrayiny|lang=uk|title=Перший форпост|date=2022-09-20|author=Володимир Чернов}} After the clashes in the afternoon, a second round of combat began there around 22:30, with the Russians retreating from the area by 01:39 the next day.{{Cite web|url=https://24tv.ua/vorog-vidstupiv-sumah-bilya-kadetskogo-korpusu-zakinchivsya-peremozhniy_n1877934|title=Ворог відступив: у Сумах біля кадетського корпусу закінчився переможний бій|language=uk-UA|website=24 Канал|date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225034955/https://24tv.ua/vorog-vidstupiv-sumah-bilya-kadetskogo-korpusu-zakinchivsya-peremozhniy_n1877934|url-status=live}} A nearby church burned down as a result of the battle.{{Cite web|url=https://24tv.ua/sumah-bilya-artuchilishha-znovu-pochavsya-biy-gorit-tserkva_n1877748|title=У Сумах біля артучилища знову почався бій: горить церква – відео з місця події|language=uk-UA|website=24 Канал|date=24 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225061724/https://24tv.ua/sumah-bilya-artuchilishha-znovu-pochavsya-biy-gorit-tserkva_n1877748|url-status=live}} Overnight, Russian troops set up camps near the villages of {{ill|Kosivshchyna|uk|Косівщина}}, {{ill|Tokari, Sumy Oblast|lt=Tokari|uk|Токарі (Бездрицька сільська громада)}}, and Nyzhnia Syrovatka outside of the city.

Hundreds of policemen had been ordered to evacuate the city towards Poltava and Cherkasy early in the invasion, so during the first days of the battle, Sumy's defenders were almost entirely civilian Territorial Defence Forces units. Thousands of firearms were quickly gathered from warehouses around the city and distributed to the volunteers. The 5th Battalion Tactical Group of the 81st Airmobile Brigade, a "small military unit", was also present in Sumy and had received instructions on 24 February to hold it at any cost. A few days later, the brigade was moved to Lebedyn.

On 26 February, fighting again broke out on the streets of Sumy.{{Cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukraine's Sumy city says fighting under way on streets |language=en |work=National Post |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/ukraines-sumy-city-says-fighting-under-way-on-streets |access-date=27 February 2022}} A Russian column passed through Yunakivka in the morning, and one of its vehicles was captured by territorial defense fighters on the Kursk highway.{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/211213-u-sumah-jdut-boi-v-ohtirci-obstrili/|first=Лілія|last=Христенко|title=У Сумах йдуть бої, в Охтирці — обстріли. Яка ситуація в області|date=26 February 2022|access-date=12 June 2024|website=Suspilne|lang=uk}} Ukrainian territorial defense forces also allegedly destroyed a convoy of Russian fuel trucks moving towards Kyiv on the Kursk highway.{{Cite web |title=Russian invasion update: Ukrainian forces destroy convoy of fuel trucks in Sumy |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3413585-russian-invasion-update-ukrainian-forces-destroy-convoy-of-fuel-trucks-in-sumy.html |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=26 February 2022 |language=en |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227014626/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3413585-russian-invasion-update-ukrainian-forces-destroy-convoy-of-fuel-trucks-in-sumy.html |url-status=live }} Mayor Oleksandr Lysenko reported three civilian deaths on 26 February, including one killed when Russian BM-21 Grad vehicles fired missiles into {{ill|Veterenivka|uk| Веретенівка}}, a residential area in the western part of Sumy.{{cite web |last=Vlasova |first=Iryna |title=При обстрілах Сум загинули троє |trans-title=Three people died in the shelling of Sumy |url=https://rama.com.ua/pri-obstrilah-sum-zaginuli-troie/ |publisher=Панорама |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227151459/https://rama.com.ua/pri-obstrilah-sum-zaginuli-troie/ |archive-date=27 February 2022 |language=uk-UA |date=27 February 2022 |url-status=live }} A building of the Sumy National Agrarian University, a home for the elderly, and houses along the Bilopillia highway were reportedly hit by Russian shelling; residents claimed the shells were fired came from the direction of Kosivshchyna. According to locals, shelling also took place in Kosivshchyna itself, as well as the areas of Teplychnyi, Luka, and Kurska.{{cite web|title=Одна людина загинула, пробитий дах та згорілі будинки – такі Суми після обстрілу|lang=uk|access-date=19 January 2025|website=Suspilne|date=27 February 2022|first1=Юлія|last1=Ніколаєва|first2=Ігор|last2=Стрельцов|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/211891-odna-ludina-zaginula-probitij-dah-ta-zgorili-budinki-taki-sumi-pisla-obstrilu/}}

File:Бої за Суми - 3.jpg

On the morning of 27 February, a column of Russian vehicles advanced into Sumy from the direction of Sumykhimprom, a chemical plant east of the city.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=27 February 2022 |title=A large column of Russian vehicles is pushing into the city of Sumy from the side of Khimprom |url=https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/a-large-column-of-russian-vehicles-is-pushing-into-the-city-of-sumy-from-the-side-of-khimprom/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en-US |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227070958/https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/a-large-column-of-russian-vehicles-is-pushing-into-the-city-of-sumy-from-the-side-of-khimprom/ |url-status=live }} A civilian car was shot at by Russian forces near the Sumy Airport, resulting in civilian casualties.{{Cite web |url=http://www.vsisumy.com/news/misto/u-sumah-okupanti-obstrilyali-avt |title=In Sumy the occupants fired at a civilian car |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227132449/http://www.vsisumy.com/news/misto/u-sumah-okupanti-obstrilyali-avt |url-status=live }} Meanwhile, fighting was said to be ongoing in Sumy, Nyzy, and Bezdryk. Two Russian soldiers and a BTR were captured by territorial defense forces at the Sumy-Tovarna railway station.{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/212003-na-stancii-sumi-tovarna-zaliznicniki-zahopili-rosijskij-btr-ta-zatrimali-dvoh-vijskovih-rf/|lang=uk|website=Suspilne|access-date=19 January 2025|date=28 February 2022|first=Анна|last=Скрипняк|title=На станції "Суми-товарна" залізничники захопили російський БТР та затримали двох військових РФ}} An additional three Russian tank crewmen were captured by territorial defense forces in the forests between Tokari and {{ill|Pishchane, Sumy Oblast|lt=Pishchane|uk|Піщане (Сумська міська громада)}}. The Russians claimed that they had not been told they would be entering Ukrainian territory, having been under the impression that they were participating in exercises.{{cite web|lang=uk|website=Suspilne|access-date=28 January 2025|date=27 February 2022|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/211904-ne-znali-so-ihali-v-ukrainu-so-rozpovili-zatrimani-pid-sumami-rosijski-vijskovi/|title="Не знали, що їхали в Україну" – що розповіли затримані під Сумами російські військові|first=Юлія|last=Марковська}} During the day, combat was reported at Verkhnia Syrovatka, and Russian military vehicles were reported to be moving through Stare Selo.{{cite web|website=Suspilne|lang=uk|access-date=28 January 2025|date=27 February 2022|first=Лілія|last=Христенко|title=У Сумах та Сумському районі йдуть бої, затримали російських військових|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/211748-u-sumah-ta-sumskomu-rajoni-jdut-boi-zatrimali-rosijskih-vijskovih/}}

A battle took place near the villages of Verkhnia Syrovatka and Nyzhnia Syrovatka on 1 March, in which five Ukrainian fighters were killed, including their commander, sergeant major Oleksandr Korzhaiev.

File:Евакуація людей із Сум 2022 03 08.jpg

On 3 March, Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, governor of Sumy Oblast, stated that five people were injured from shelling on buildings of the 27th Artillery Brigade and the military department at Sumy State University.{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/3/7327655/|title=Russian missile strikes Sumy, 5 wounded|work=Pravda|date=3 March 2022|accessdate=3 March 2022|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303232251/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/3/7327655/|url-status=live}} More than 500 international students were trapped since roads and bridges out of the city had been destroyed and fighting was reported in the streets of Sumy.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/03/sumy-more-than-500-international-students-trapped-in-ukrainian-town-battered-by-shelling |title=Sumy: more than 500 international students trapped in Ukrainian town battered by shelling |date=3 March 2022 |access-date=4 March 2022 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306141226/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/03/sumy-more-than-500-international-students-trapped-in-ukrainian-town-battered-by-shelling |url-status=live }}

Zhyvytskyi stated on 8 March that 22 civilians were killed overnight due to a Russian airstrike hitting a residential area, and that four soldiers were killed in combat with the Russian military.{{Cite web |last=Nseyen |first=Nsikak |date=2022-03-08 |title=Russia invasion: Four Ukrainian soldiers, 10 others killed in Sumy |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/03/08/russia-invasion-four-ukrainian-soldiers-10-others-killed-in-sumy/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/08/carnage-sumy-russian-missile-attack/|title= No more than seven years old: the children of Sumy blown up as they prepared to flee|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=28 January 2025|date=8 March 2022|first1=Robert|last1=Mendick|first2=Patrick|last2=Sawer|first3=Verity|last3=Bowman}} An evacuation of civilians from the city began during the day under an agreement for a humanitarian corridor reached with Russia. Zhyvytskyi later stated that about 5,000 people were evacuated during the day.{{cite news |title=Two children among at least 21 killed in Sumy airstrikes, officials say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/08/two-children-among-killed-in-sumy-airstrikes-officials-say |author=Sam Jones |access-date=8 March 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=8 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309020748/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/08/two-children-among-killed-in-sumy-airstrikes-officials-say |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Ukraine's task is to hold off Russia for 7-10 days-senior official |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-task-is-hold-off-russia-7-10-days-senior-official-2022-03-09/ |access-date=9 March 2022 |work=Reuters |date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309072743/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-task-is-hold-off-russia-7-10-days-senior-official-2022-03-09/ |url-status=live }}

The Russian military shelled the village of Bezdryk on 13 March and Nyzy, Sumy, and Verkhnia Syrovatka on 14 March. According to locals, the shelling came from the direction of the village of {{ill|Hrebenykivka|uk|Гребениківка}}.{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/217413-artobstrili-v-sumskomu-rajoni-rosijski-vijskovi-strilali-po-selisu-nizi-j-verhnij-sirovatci/|lang=uk|access-date=28 January 2025|date=14 March 2022|website=Suspilne|title= Артобстріли в Сумському районі: російські військові стріляли по селищу Низи й Верхній Сироватці }} On 15 March, over one hundred instances of shelling were recorded on the city of Sumy and its outskirts, according to Ukrainian territorial defense forces. Affected locations included the village of Tokari and the neighborhood of Khimmistechko.{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/218411-rosijski-vijska-obstriluvali-sumi-ponad-sotnu-raziv-za-dobu-teroborona/|website=Suspilne|lang=uk|access-date=28 January 2025|date=17 March 2022|title=Російські війська обстрілювали Суми понад сотню разів за добу – тероборона}}

On 18 March, Russian forces shelled the warehouse of a paint manufacturer in Sumy, causing a large fire. Residents of Khimmistechko, Basy, Prokofiev, Nyzy, Stare Selo were cautioned to close their windows and not go outdoors unless necessary.{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/219080-u-sumah-gorit-sklad-cerez-obstrili-vijskami-rf/|title=У Сумах через обстріли військами РФ горить склад з лакофарбовою продукцією|access-date=28 January 2025|website=Suspilne|lang=uk|date=18 March 2022}}

On 21 March, an airstrike damaged a fertilizer factory in Sumy, leaking out ammonia and contaminating the surrounding ground.{{Cite web |last=France-Presse |first=Guardian staff and Agence |date=21 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian town told to shelter after shelling causes ammonia leak at chemical factory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/21/ukrainian-town-told-to-shelter-after-shelling-causes-ammonia-leak-at-chemical-factory |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} Two days earlier, Russian general Mikhail Mizintsev alleged that Ukrainian nationalists had mined the chemical plant as part of a "false flag" plot.{{Cite web |last=Examiner |first=Victor I. Nava, Washington |title=Ammonia leak reported at Ukraine chemical plant after Russian airstrike |url=https://gazette.com/news/us-world/ammonia-leak-reported-at-ukraine-chemical-plant-after-russian-airstrike/article_8c58a574-54c1-5723-91e6-6842308c1fa0.html |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=Colorado Springs Gazette |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321073939/https://gazette.com/news/us-world/ammonia-leak-reported-at-ukraine-chemical-plant-after-russian-airstrike/article_8c58a574-54c1-5723-91e6-6842308c1fa0.html |url-status=dead }} Ukrainian officials called on residents of {{ill|Novoselytsia, Sumy Oblast|lt=Novoselysia|uk|Новоселиця (Сумський район)}} to seek shelter.

The Ukrainian recapture of Trostianets, Sumy Oblast on 26 March was expected by Western media outlets to open up supply routes to relieve the city of Sumy, which was described as "encircled" or "under siege".{{Cite news |last1=Chernova |first1=Yuliya |last2=Coles |first2=Isabel |last3=Colchester |first3=Max |date=2022-03-27 |title=Ukraine Seeks to Exploit Shift in Russia's Military Strategy |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-seeks-to-exploit-shift-in-russias-military-strategy-11648385217 |access-date=2022-03-29 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=2022-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328214618/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-seeks-to-exploit-shift-in-russias-military-strategy-11648385217 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Mendick |first1=Robert |last2=Freeman |first2=Colin |last3=Kilner |first3=James |date=2022-03-27 |title=Legendary Stalingrad tank division destroyed as Ukraine reclaims key town |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/27/ukraine-bounced-back-embarrass-russia-recapture-bombarded-cities/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329215355/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/27/ukraine-bounced-back-embarrass-russia-recapture-bombarded-cities/ |url-status=live }} On the same day, Ukrainian forces captured the villages {{ill|Steblianky|uk|Стеблянки}}{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/228536-spali-sidaci-j-topili-snig-ziteli-sela-steblanki-na-sumsini-rozpovili-ak-perezili-okupaciu/|title= Спали сидячи й топили сніг. Жителі села Стеблянки на Сумщині розповіли, як пережили окупацію|first=Юлія|last=Николаєва|access-date=28 January 2025|date=14 April 2022|website=Suspilne|lang=uk}} and Boromlia after the withdrawal of Russian troops.{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/222672-ak-vigladae-selo-boromla-na-sumsini-ake-zvilnili-vid-rosijskoi-okupacii-foto/|title=Як виглядає село Боромля на Сумщині, яке звільнили від російської окупації. ФОТО|date=28 March 2022|access-date=28 January 2025|lang=uk|website=Suspilne}}{{cite web|url=https://www.helsinki.org.ua/articles/kury-vyzhyly-bo-movchaly-a-ot-papuhu-z-ily-istoriia-okupatsii-sela-boromlia/|title=«Кури вижили, бо мовчали. А от папугу з’їли…» – історія окупації села Боромля|date=27 February 2023|website=Українська Гельсінська спілка з прав людини|lang=uk|access-date=28 January 2025}} By 26 March, Russian forces had also left {{ill|Velykyi Bobryk|uk|Великий Бобрик}}{{cite web|date=28 March 2022|access-date=28 January 2025|title= "Звірськи катували". Що розказують жителі села на Сумщині, яке 10 днів окуповували росіяни|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/222611-zvirski-katuvali-so-rozkazuut-ziteli-sela-na-sumsini-ake-10-dniv-okupovuvali-rosiani/|lang=uk|website=Suspilne}} and {{ill|Malyi Vystorop|uk|Малий Вистороп}}.{{cite web|lang=uk|access-date=28 January 2025|date=15 April 2022|title="Вся вулиця без заборів, без вікон", — жителі села на Сумщині про наслідки від російської окупації|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/228892-vsa-vulica-bez-zaboriv-bez-vikon-ziteli-sela-na-sumsini-pro-naslidki-vid-rosijskoi-okupacii/|first1=Юлія|last1=Николаєва|first2=Катерина|last2=Ворона}}

By 27 March, the Russian military had withdrawn from some of the villages closest to Sumy, and had detonated a bridge over the Psel River during their retreat.{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/221990-ce-dike-plema-bulo-meskanci-sil-sumskogo-rajonu-rozpovili-pro-vijska-rf-v-ihnih-selah/|title="Це дике плем’я було" — мешканці сіл Сумського району розповіли про війська РФ в їхніх селах|website=Suspilne|date=27 March 2022|access-date=28 January 2025}}

On 4 April 2022, Governor Zhyvytskyi declared that Russian troops no longer occupied any towns or villages in Sumy Oblast and had mostly withdrawn.[https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/russian-troops-no-longer-hold-any-settlements-in-ukraines-sumy-region-says-governor Russian troops no longer hold any settlements in Ukraine's Sumy region, says governor], National Post (4 April 2022) According to Zhyvytskyi, Ukrainian troops were working to push out the remaining units. On 8 April 2022, he stated that all Russians troops had left Sumy Oblast, but it was still unsafe due to rigged explosives and other ammunition Russian troops had left behind.{{cite news |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/8/7338013/ |title=Sumy region liberated from Russian troops |first=Anastasiya |last=Kalatur |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |date=8 April 2022 |access-date=15 April 2022}}

{{Main|Northern Ukraine skirmishes (2022–present)}}

Despite Russian forces withdrawing fully from Sumy Oblast by early April, airstrikes continued throughout April and May.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

In mid-May, Russian troops made numerous attempted border crossings in the Sumy area.{{Cite web |last=Strozewski |first=Zoe |date=2022-05-16 |title=Russian sneak attack on Sumy area fails, Putin forces lose Ukrainian ground |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russian-sneak-attack-sumy-area-fails-putin-forces-lose-ukrainian-ground-1706966 |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} On 17 May, 5 civilians were wounded by Russian shelling in Sumy Oblast.{{Cite web |title=Oleh Novikov 🇺🇦 on Twitter: "The Russian army shelled Okhtyrka Sumy region in the early morning, at least 5 were wounded – region official" |url=https://twitter.com/olehbatkovych/status/1526462808233328642 |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Twitter |language=en}} Shelling of the region from Russia continued for the remainder of the year.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

• Siege of Chernihiv
• Battle of Kyiv (2022)
• Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast

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{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

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Category:February 2022 in Ukraine

Category:March 2022 in Ukraine

Sumy

Sumy

Category:Sumy Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:April 2022 in Ukraine