Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast

On 24 February 2022, the Russian military invaded Ukraine and began capturing and occupying parts of the Sumy Oblast. The capital of the oblast, Sumy, was never captured by Russian forces, however, some settlements were captured, such as Trostianets.

On 4 April 2022, Governor of Sumy Oblast Dmytro Zhyvytskyi stated that Russian troops no longer occupied any towns or villages in Sumy Oblast and had mostly withdrawn, while Ukrainian troops were working to push out the remaining units.[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) Three days later, he said that all Russian troops had left the region, 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}}

By March 2025, Russian forces had begun an incursion into the northern part of Sumy Oblast.https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250309-russia-claims-its-forces-recapture-villages-in-kursk-ahead-of-us-ukraine-talks

2022 Russian occupation

= Konotop Raion =

On 2 April, it was reported that the Russian army maintained a corridor in Konotop Raion through which equipment from Kyiv and Chernihiv could be withdrawn to Russia;{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, April 2|url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2|access-date=8 April 2022|work=Institute for the Study of War|archive-date=3 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403224558/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2|url-status=live}} local authorities said that Russian forces remained near Konotop, Bilopillia, Buryn, Putyvl, and Nova Sloboda. The next day, Ukrainian MP {{ILL|Olexander Kachura|uk|Качура Олександр Анатолійович}} stated on Twitter that all Russian forces had left Konotop Raion.{{Cite tweet |number=1510611259456172040 |user=SputnikATO |title=Конотопский район освобожден от российских оккупантов. Об этом сообщил нардеп Александр Качура. Еще вчера глава Сумской областной военной администрации Дмитрий Живицкий заявлял, что армия РФ находится в районе Белополья и Конотопа. |date=3 April 2022 |language=ru}}

On 5 April, Governor Zhyvytsky stated that the bodies of at least three tortured civilians had been found in the Konotop Raion.{{Cite web|title=Sumy Oblast Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky has reported that in Konotop district of Sumy Oblast, the Ukrainian military found the bodies of at least three tortured civilians |work=The Guardian |date=6 April 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/apr/05/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-live-updates-zelenskiy-address-un-united-nations-borodyanka-atrocities-bucha?page=with:block-624bd9c28f08fd70369de304#block-624bd9c28f08fd70369de304|access-date=8 April 2022 }}{{multiple image

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| image1 = Російська техніка під Тростянцем 18.03.2022 (5).jpg

| caption1 = Remnants of a Russian column ambushed by Ukrainian forces on 17 March 2022

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| caption2 = Trostianets after its recapture by Ukraine on 26 March 2022

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= Romny Raion =

On the evening of 24 February, the first day of the Russian invasion, two convoys of Russian soldiers coming from the cities of Nedryhailiv and Konotop (east and north of Romny, respectively) made their way in the direction of Romny.{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2022 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. ОНЛАЙН |url=https://suspilne.media/210133-voennij-stan-so-vidbuvaetsa-u-sumah-2/? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304133456/https://suspilne.media/210133-voennij-stan-so-vidbuvaetsa-u-sumah-2/ |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=Суспільне | Новини}} Between 26 and 27 February, more Russian vehicles headed towards Romny from Krasnopillia, bypassing Sumy. The second convoy was bombed by Ukrainian forces before it reached Romny.{{Cite web |last=Христенко |first=Лілія |date=2022-02-27 |title=Ворожа техніка через Сумщину продовжує курс на Київ. Тривають бої |url=https://suspilne.media/211572-voroza-tehnika-cerez-sumsinu-prodovzue-kurs-na-kiiv-trivaut-boi/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329210335/https://suspilne.media/211572-voroza-tehnika-cerez-sumsinu-prodovzue-kurs-na-kiiv-trivaut-boi/ |archive-date=29 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-05 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}} On February 28, Russian forces attacked the Romny Correctional Colony. Meanwhile that same day, Russian forces crushed a civilian in the village of {{ill|Pohozha Krynytsia|uk|Погожа Криниця}} when he attempted to use his car to block Russian tanks passing through.{{Cite web |last=Скрипняк |first=Анна |date=2022-03-01 |title=На Сумщині російський танк переїхав цивільне авто, яке заважало руху колони. Водій загинув |url=https://suspilne.media/212524-na-sumsini-rosijskij-tank-pereihav-civilne-avto-ake-zavazalo-ruhu-koloni-vodij-zaginuv/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305200657/https://suspilne.media/212524-na-sumsini-rosijskij-tank-pereihav-civilne-avto-ake-zavazalo-ruhu-koloni-vodij-zaginuv/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-05 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}

On the first day of March, Russian forces captured the villages of Bilovods'ke and Bobryk, just south of Romny, which had been contested in previous days.{{Cite web |title=Росіяни захопили підприємство на Сумщині, посадили снайперів, вимагають переговорів |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/4/7328060/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430074948/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/4/7328060/ |archive-date=2022-04-30 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Українська правда}}{{Cite web |title=В Сумской области колонны военной техники РФ пошли на Ромны и Диброву |url=https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-ato/3412147-v-sumskoj-oblasti-kolonny-voennoj-tehniki-rf-posli-na-romny-i-dibrovu.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226051022/https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-ato/3412147-v-sumskoj-oblasti-kolonny-voennoj-tehniki-rf-posli-na-romny-i-dibrovu.html |archive-date=2022-02-26 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=ukrinform.ru}}{{Cite web |title=У Роменському районі військові РФ захопили елеватор Дружба нова |url=https://suspilne.media/212785-vijskovi-rf-zahopili-elevator-pograbuvali-magazin-ta-fermi-situacia-v-romenskomu-rajoni/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305205842/https://suspilne.media/212785-vijskovi-rf-zahopili-elevator-pograbuvali-magazin-ta-fermi-situacia-v-romenskomu-rajoni/ |archive-date=2022-03-05 |access-date=2022-07-26}} On 4 March, after negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, Romny was selected as a humanitarian corridor for civilians fleeing Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv oblasts.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-04 |title=Без електрики Лебедин та частково Охтирка. В Сумах триває відновлення електропостачання |url=https://suspilne.media/215221-sumcani-dopomagaut-ukrainskim-bijcam-oblastovuvati-blokposti/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308145946/https://suspilne.media/215221-sumcani-dopomagaut-ukrainskim-bijcam-oblastovuvati-blokposti/ |archive-date=8 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-08 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}} That same day, civilians from the village of Spartak attempted to block Russian vehicles passing from Nedryhailiv to Romny. They succeeded in blocking the road, although an ensuing attack by the Russians resulted in one civilian dying.{{Cite web |last=Юлія Ніколаєва, Катерина Ворона |first=Суспільне |date=2022-04-19 |title="Збирали брата по шматках…" — на Сумщині російські військові розстріляли чоловіка із БТРа |url=https://suspilne.media/230271-zbirali-brata-po-smatkah-na-sumsini-rosijski-vijskovi-rozstrilali-colovika-iz-btra/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610164040/https://suspilne.media/230271-zbirali-brata-po-smatkah-na-sumsini-rosijski-vijskovi-rozstrilali-colovika-iz-btra/ |archive-date=2022-06-10 |accessdate=2022-06-10 |website=Суспільне Новини |language=uk}} Later that evening on 4 March, Russian forces blocked the road from Lypova Dolyna towards Romny and Bilovod'ske, in southern Romny Raion, while the highway between Nedryhailiv and Romny was still under Ukrainian control. During the night between 4 and 5 March, Russian soldiers destroyed a poultry farm, killed around 100,000 poultry and causing an estimated one million hryvnias' worth of damage.{{Cite web |last=Юлія Ніколаєва, Анна Скрипняк |first=Суспільне |date=2022-04-20 |title="Наробили багато шкоди" – наслідки пограбування росіянами птахоферми у селі Вільшана на Сумщині |url=https://suspilne.media/230556-narobili-bagato-skodi-naslidki-pograbuvanna-rosianami-ptahofermi-u-seli-vilsana-na-sumsini/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610164038/https://suspilne.media/230556-narobili-bagato-skodi-naslidki-pograbuvanna-rosianami-ptahofermi-u-seli-vilsana-na-sumsini/ |archive-date=2022-06-10 |accessdate=2022-06-10 |website=Суспільне Новини |language=uk}}

On 5 March, three out of four hostages who were taken by Russian troops were released, according to the head of Romny Raion, Denys Vashchenko. That same day, Russian soldiers standing on the road fired at Ukrainian TDF troops at a gas station, leaving one Ukrainian soldier killed and two wounded.{{Cite web |last=Стрельцов |first=Ігор |date=2022-02-27 |title=У Сумах обстріляли цивільне авто з дорослими та дітьми — загинула жінка |url=https://suspilne.media/211748-u-sumah-ta-sumskomu-rajoni-jdut-boi-zatrimali-rosijskih-vijskovih/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305144837/https://suspilne.media/211748-u-sumah-ta-sumskomu-rajoni-jdut-boi-zatrimali-rosijskih-vijskovih/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-05 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}} On the evening of March 5, Russian soldiers fired at two cars traveling from Sumy to Romny, in the village of Pustovyitivka. Three civilians were wounded, and one civilian was killed in the shooting.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-06 |title=Обстріляна АЗС, цивільні машини та підстанція у Ромнах |url=https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305143940/https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-08 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}} Later that evening, in the village of Skrypali in Romny raion, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian column, and killed an unspecified number of soldiers.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-09 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень другий. Онлайн |url=https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305143940/https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-09 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}} In the evening between 5 and 6 March, shots were fired in Pustoviitivka and Romny, with no injuries. The shooting in Romny, however, knocked out electricity for parts of the town.{{Cite web |date=6 March 2022 |title=Обстріляна АЗС, цивільні машини та підстанція у Ромнах |url=https://suspilne.media/214342-romencaninu-maksimu-bilokonu-posmertno-prisvoene-zvanna-geroa-ukraini/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306110022/https://suspilne.media/214342-romencaninu-maksimu-bilokonu-posmertno-prisvoene-zvanna-geroa-ukraini/ |archive-date=6 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-06 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}

File:Military of the Russian Federation captured during the Battle of Sumy.jpg|access-date=28 January 2025}}]]

On 11 March, Vashchenko reported that Ukrainian forces unblocked the road between Romny and Lokhvytsia, allowing civilians to flee southwards. That morning near Romny, police and Ukrainian TDF discovered and detained 29 Russian soldiers in a field, all of whom claimed to be lost.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-16 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень третій. Онлайн |url=https://suspilne.media/215802-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-tretij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311193048/https://suspilne.media/215802-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-tretij-onlajn/ |archive-date=11 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-20 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-11 |title=Поліціянти та тероборонівці затримали 29 військових РФ на Сумщині |url=https://suspilne.media/216340-policianti-ta-teroboronivci-zatrimali-29-vijskovih-rf-na-sumsini/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320200445/https://suspilne.media/216340-policianti-ta-teroboronivci-zatrimali-29-vijskovih-rf-na-sumsini/ |archive-date=20 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-20 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}{{Cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=На Сумщині затримали 29 військовослужбовців РФ |url=https://rama.com.ua/na-sumshhini-zatrimali-29-vijskovosluzhbovciv-rf/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313085856/https://rama.com.ua/na-sumshhini-zatrimali-29-vijskovosluzhbovciv-rf/ |archive-date=13 March 2022 |accessdate=20 March 2022}} The next day on 12 March, green corridors were established in Sumy Oblast, where civilians from Sumy, Trostianets, Konotop, Lebedyn, Velyka Pysarivka, and Krasnopillia could flee towards Poltava Oblast.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-12 |title=На Сумщині запланували нову хвилю евакуації на 12 березня. Як і звідки можна виїхати до Полтави |url=https://suspilne.media/219736-zakupi-u-sumah-so-mozna-pridbati-na-rinkah-mista-v-umovah-vijni/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320202055/https://suspilne.media/219736-zakupi-u-sumah-so-mozna-pridbati-na-rinkah-mista-v-umovah-vijni/ |archive-date=20 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-20 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}} Humanitarian corridors restarted again on 18 March.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=Вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень четвертий. Онлайн |url=https://suspilne.media/218448-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-cetvertij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426220709/https://suspilne.media/218448-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-cetvertij-onlajn/ |archive-date=26 April 2022 |accessdate=2022-04-04 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}} The Ukrainian General Staff reported on 19 March that the 1st Guards Tank Army of Russia began to concentrate efforts on surrounding Sumy, while also attempting offensives in Trostianets, Pryluky, and Romny, although these offensives did not succeed.

= Boromlia =

According to locals, forces of the Donetsk People's Republic entered the village of Boromlia on the morning of 24 February.{{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}}

Boromlia was struck by Russian airstrikes on 3 and 5 March 2022. According to residents, there was no Ukrainian military presence in Boromlia at the time, and the airstrikes caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure: towns, shops, and a school.

The Russian military entered the village after the strikes, and Boromlia reportedly came under Russian occupation on 9 March.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainians-pull-together-to-rebuild-after-heavy-destruction-from-russian-attacks/31910389.html|title=Ukrainians Pull Together To Rebuild After Heavy Destruction From Russian Attacks|date=22 June 2022|access-date=28 January 2025|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}} Due to the village's location on a highway, Russian columns frequently passed through it. According to locals, over 500 Russian military vehicles were in the village, and occupation forces consisted of Russians, Buryats, Chechens, and, mostly, the forces of the Donetsk People's Republic.{{cite web|access-date=28 January 2025|lang=ru|website=The New Voice of Ukraine|url=https://nv.ua/ukraine/events/chto-ostavili-posle-sebya-voyska-rf-reportazh-s-sumshchiny-novosti-ukrainy-50251940.html|title=Обезображенные Россией земли. Как спасатели очищают Сумщину от того, что оставили после себя оккупанты — репортаж НВ|first=Кристина|last=Бердинских}}

Instances of torture, robbery, and abduction of local residents by Russian forces were reported during the occupation of Boromlia.{{cite web|title="Намагались відрізати палець, потім відламали" – про знущання військових РФ на Сумщині |url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/219985-namagalis-vidrizati-palec-potim-vidlamali-pro-znusanna-vijskovih-rf-na-sumsini/|website=Suspilne|lang=uk|access-date=28 January 2025|date=21 March 2022}} According to Vasyl Romanika, head of the village administration, four people were tortured and killed during the occupation. Local officials claimed that a man was tortured and robbed in the village on 14 March.{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/218919-katuvali-ta-vimagali-grosi-na-sumsini-vijskovi-rf-napali-na-zitela-boromli/|website=Suspilne|access-date=28 January 2025|date=18 March 2022|title="Катували та вимагали гроші". На Сумщині військові РФ напали на жителя Боромлі|lang=uk}}

The occupation of Boromlia ended on 26 March; Russian forces left during the night, and Ukrainian forces entered in the afternoon.{{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}}

= Trostianets =

File:Trostyanets-Smorodyne railway station after the Battle of Trostianets.jpg

As part of an offensive towards Kyiv, columns of tanks from the Russian 4th Guards Tank Division first passed through Trostianets on 24 February, with no real plans of occupying the city.{{cite news |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Yermak |first2=Natalia |name-list-style=and |date=3 April 2022 |title='This is True Barbarity': Life and Death Under Russian Occupation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |last=Reuter |first=Christoph |date=2022-03-29 |title=(S+) Ukraine: Wie die Stadt Trostjanez nach vier Wochen von den Russen befreit wurde |language=de |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/ukraine-wie-die-stadt-trostjanez-nach-vier-wochen-von-den-russen-befreit-wurde-a-74075128-0bdd-4841-9724-90e47d69ad3f |access-date=2022-03-29 |issn=2195-1349 |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329114530/https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/ukraine-wie-die-stadt-trostjanez-nach-vier-wochen-von-den-russen-befreit-wurde-a-74075128-0bdd-4841-9724-90e47d69ad3f |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Russians leave behind wreckage, hunger in Ukraine town of Trostyanets |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220330-russians-leave-behind-wreckage-hunger-in-ukraine-town-of-trostyanets |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=France 24 |publisher=Agence France-Presse |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330200242/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220330-russians-leave-behind-wreckage-hunger-in-ukraine-town-of-trostyanets |url-status=live }} However, the offensive quickly began to stall due to Ukrainian resistance west and southwest of Trostianets, and the detonation of a bridge south of the city.{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=5 April 2022 |title='Barbarians': Russian troops leave grisly mark on town of Trostianets |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405181741/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |url-status=live }} As a result, Trostianets, which was first envisioned as "little more than a speed bump" in Russian plans to swiftly take Kyiv, was occupied by a garrison of Russian troops on 1 March.{{Cite web |title=Trostyanets captured by aggressor – head of Regional Military Administration |url=https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/805234.html |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308142508/https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/805234.html |url-status=live }}

About a dozen checkpoints were established in and around the city. The main train station served as the Russian headquarters, and the police station and airfield also came under occupation. The number of Russian troops occupying Trostianets has been variously estimated between 300 and 800. Separatist militiamen from Donetsk and Luhansk arrived in the city following a mid-March troop rotation, and the presence of contingents of Buryat and South Ossetian fighters has also been reported. Units of the elite 4th Guards Tank Division, including the 12th and 13th Guards Tank Regiments, are reported to have been among the occupying forces.{{cite web |url=https://www.unian.ua/war/na-sumshchini-ukrajinec-ponad-rik-zberigav-na-podvir-ji-trofeyniy-tank-rf-foto-12345555.html |title=На Сумщині українець понад рік зберігав на подвір'ї трофейний танк РФ (фото) |date=2023-07-30 |publisher=УНІАН |lang=uk}}{{cite web|lang=uk|access-date=2024-05-01|date=2022-03-29|website=Suspilne|title=П'ятий тиждень повномасштабної війни Росії проти України: що відбувається на Сумщині. Онлайн|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/220952-patij-tizden-povnomasstabnoi-vijni-rosii-proti-ukraini-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-onlajn/}}

File:Cleanup of Trostianets by SESU, 29.03.2022 (5).jpg

During the occupation, Ukrainian police officers remained in the city incognito, supporting both local civilians and partisan forces operating in the area. The town's mayor, Yuriy Bova, hid in nearby villages, receiving some criticism for his decision not to stay in town, but continued to coordinate Ukrainian resistance, including shelling of Russian positions.

The Russian occupying force allegedly engaged in widespread looting,{{Cite news |last=Pahulych |first=Roman |date=30 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian Forces Recapture Eastern Town Near Russian Border |work=Radio Free Europe |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-liberates-border-town-russia/31778438.html |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401132022/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-liberates-border-town-russia/31778438.html |url-status=live }} and Guardian journalists found evidence of torture and summary executions in the city. Residents of Trostianets during the occupation stated that people were shot in the streets.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-15 |title=Bodies, land mines and destruction: A Ukrainian region digs out after the Russian occupation |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/bodies-land-mines-destruction-ukraine-region-sumy-russia-occupation/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=POLITICO |language=en}} Unless neighbors or other civilians carried in the bodies of the dead, they would be left in the streets. These included the bodies of dead Russian troops, who were left there following the Russian retreat. Bova stated that at least 50 civilians were killed under Russian occupation. According to residents, two civilians were also killed in the neighboring village of {{ill|Bilka, Okhtyrka Raion|uk|Білка (Охтирський район)}}, which the Russians occupied on 2 March.

Zhyvytskyi stated that Russian troops in Trostianets laid mines everywhere, including the town cemetery. After the Russian withdrawal, seven civilians were killed and at least two wounded due to traps laid by Russian soldiers across the town.{{Cite web |title=Five children killed by Russian mines and tripwires in Trostianets |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3459963-five-children-killed-by-russian-mines-and-tripwires-in-trostianets.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=ukrinform.net |date=17 April 2022 |language=en}}

== Ukrainian counterattack ==

A Ukrainian counteroffensive recaptured the city on 26 March. During the fighting, the town's hospital was shelled, with residents blaming Russian forces. After combat and shelling around the outskirts of the city, Russian troops largely withdrew overnight before the arrival of Ukrainian forces.{{Cite web |last1=Rosa |first1=Andrea |last2=Dana |first2=Felipe |date=2022-03-29 |title=After Russian forces pull back, a shattered town breathes |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-614463bc36092687537939c7538f4360 |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329080532/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-614463bc36092687537939c7538f4360 |url-status=live }} An AFP report recorded "a dozen" destroyed or damaged tanks and armored vehicles. The New York Times reported that food had grown scarce by the time the city was recaptured by Ukraine.

= Sumy Raion =

== Malyi Vystorop ==

The village of {{ill|Malyi Vystorop|uk|Малий Вистороп}} was occupied on 17 March. Russian forces took up residence in the village's vocational college, which they looted, according to its employees. When Russian forces left on 25 March, they fired reportedly on the college from tanks.{{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|website=Suspilne}}

== Velykyi Bobryk ==

The village of {{ill|Velykyi Bobryk|uk|Великий Бобрик}} came under Russian occupation on 17 March. Russian troops occupied a school building, and a local café served as headquarters. Locals accuse the Russian forces of looting shops, occupying and looting civilian homes, beating and torturing civilians, shooting indiscriminately, firing on civilian houses with BMPs, and abducting two civilian residents. The Russians left Velykyi Bobryk during the early morning hours of 26 March.{{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}}

== Steblianky ==

The village of {{ill|Steblianky|uk|Стеблянки}} came under Russian occupation on 19 March. Locals claim that Russian forces broke into unoccupied homes and looted them. The Ukrainian military forced the Russians out of the village on 26 March.{{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}}

2024 Russian raids on border settlements

On 9 June 2024, Russian forces raided the village of Ryzhivka, located near the border, close to the Russian settlement of Tyotkino. Geolocation footage confirmed that Russian troops had entered the village and advanced approximately 730 meters into Ukraine.{{cite web |last1=Mappes |first1=Grace |last2=Wolkov |first2=Nicole |last3=Harward |first3=Christina |last4=Hird |first4=Karolina |last5=Stepanenko |first5=Kateryna |last6=Barros |first6=George |name-list-style=and |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 10, 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-10-2024 |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=Institute for the Study of War}} However, the next day, Russian forces withdrew from the area. Throughout June, Russian troops continued to launch limited cross-border attacks in Sumy Oblast, targeting the villages of Zhuravka, Chuikivka, Rozhkovychi, and Sytne, but all attempts ended in failure.{{cite web |last1=Wolkov |first1=Nicole |last2=Harward |first2=Christina |last3=Evans |first3=Angelica |last4=Hird |first4=Karolina |last5=Kagan |first5=Frederick W. |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 1, 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-July-1-2024 |access-date=4 July 2024 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}{{cite web |last1=Wolkov |first1=Nicole |last2=Harward |first2=Christina |last3=Mappes |first3=Grace |last4=Hird |first4=Karolina |last5=Barros |first5=George |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 2, 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-July-2-2024 |access-date=4 July 2024 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Angelica |last2=Stepanenko |first2=Kateryna |last3=Hird |first3=Karolina |last4=Harward |first4=Christina |last5=Barros |first5=George |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 18, 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-18-2024 |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}

2025 Russian incursion

On 10 January 2025, Russian forces crossed the international border and entered Sumy Oblast, pushing west of Zhuravka.{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 12, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-12-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War |quote=Russian forces recently crossed into northern Sumy Oblast as part of their ongoing efforts to eliminate the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast. Geolocated footage published on January 10 indicates that Russian forces recently crossed the international border and advanced west of Zhuravka}} By 20 February, Russian sources claimed that their forces had captured the village of Basivka,{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 20, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-20-2025 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en |quote=Russian milbloggers also claimed that Russian forces crossed the Ukraine-Russia international border from Sverdlikovo into Sumy Oblast near Novenke and Basivka (both just south of the international border) and that elements of the Russian 810th Naval Infantry Brigade (Black Sea Fleet [BSF]) entered Basivka}} followed by claims of seizing Novenke and making progress toward northern Zhuravka days later.{{Cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-25-2025 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en |quote=A Russian source claimed that Russian forces seized Novenke and advanced in northern Zhuravka}} On 28 February, Ukraine's Center for Combatting Disinformation acknowledged that Russian forces were attacking along the international border near Basivka and Novenke. Meanwhile, DeepState described both Basivka and Novenke as "grey zones."{{Cite web |last=Грамм |first=Вікторія |date=2025-02-28 |title=Село Новеньке на Сумщині у "сірій" зоні — Deep State |trans-title=The village of Novenke in Sumy region is in the 'gray' zone — Deep State |url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/959359-selo-novenke-na-sumsini-u-sirij-zoni-deep-state/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Суспільне {{!}} Новини |language=uk}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=ВСУ остановили прорыв войск РФ возле с. Новенькое в Сумской области. Враг продолжает попытки штурмов, - Генштаб Источник |trans-title=The Ukrainian Armed Forces stopped a breakthrough of Russian troops near the village of Novenke in the Sumy region. The enemy keeps trying to attack, - General Staff Source |url=https://censor.net/ru/news/3538492/selo-novenkoe-v-sumskoyi-oblasti-genshtab-otritsaet-proryv-granitsy |website=Censor.net}}{{Cite web |title=На півночі Сумщини загострення – ворог намагається прорватися |trans-title=In the north of Sumy region, things are getting intense – the enemy is trying to break through |url=https://kordon.media/vorog-zajshov-na-sumshhynu-rosijski-vijska-prosunulysya-pryblyzno-na-kilometr-u-rajoni-sela-novenke/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |language=uk}}{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 28, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-28-2025 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en |quote=Ukraine's Center for Combatting Disinformation acknowledged that Russian forces attacked along the international border near Basivka and Novenke}}

On 2 March, Russian military bloggers claimed that Russian forces had seized Zhuravka.{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 2, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-2-2025 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} On 7 March, Russian sources claimed that their armed forces had captured Novenke.{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 7, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-7-2025 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} The next day, based on released geolocation footage, it was highly likely that Russian forces had captured Novenke.{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 9, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-9-2025 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-09 |title=Минобороны сообщило об освобождении Лебедевки в Курской области |trans-title=The Ministry of Defense announced that Lebedevka in the Kursk region has been liberated. |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/09/03/2025/67cd59ee9a7947b0540af2c0 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=РБК |language=ru}}

Between 12 and 17 March, Russian forces pushed further west and northwest of Basivka and west of Zhuravka,{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 12, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-12-2025 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 13, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-13-2025 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 16, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-16-2025 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 18, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-18-2025 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 21, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-21-2025 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} attempting to consolidate their positions in the area.{{Cite web |title=Russian troops attempt to consolidate positions near Basivka in Sumy Oblast – video |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/03/13/7502724/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Russians try quad bikes to seize village in Sumy Oblast, but face swift defeat |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/fighting-in-sumy-oblast-russians-are-trying-to-gain-foothold-in-basivka-video-released-50497717.html |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=New Voice |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-19 |title=Demchenko: Russians trying to gain foothold near Novenke and Zhuravka in Sumy region |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3972432-demchenko-russians-trying-to-gain-foothold-near-novenke-and-zhuravka-in-sumy-region.html |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=ukrinform.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Russian army trying to establish strongholds in Ukraine's Sumy region |url=https://global.espreso.tv/russia-ukraine-war-russian-forces-trying-to-establish-strongholds-near-novenke-zhuravka-in-ukraines-sumy-region?amp |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=global.espreso.tv}}

After successfully recapturing the town of Sudzha, President Putin proposed establishing a "buffer zone" in Sumy Oblast to protect Kursk from future Ukrainian attacks.{{Cite web |last=Kitachayev |first=Bashir |date=2025-03-21 |title=How Likely Is a Fresh Russian Offensive on Ukraine's Sumy Region? |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/21/how-likely-is-a-fresh-russian-offensive-on-ukraines-sumy-region-a88431 |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=The Moscow Times |language=en}} By 23 March 2025, Russian sources claimed their troops had moved into {{ill|Volodymyrivka, Sumy Raion, Sumy Oblast|uk|Володимирівка (Сумський район)|lt=Volodymyrivka}}.{{Cite web |last1=Mappes |first1=Grace |last2=Gibson |first2=Olivia |last3=Harward |first3=Christina |last4=Barros |first4=George |last5=Runkel |first5=William |date=23 March 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 23, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-23-2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}} A few days later, geolocated footage indicated that Russian forces had seized the border checkpoint between Sumy and Sudzha to the east of Basivka.{{Cite web |title=Russia 'reaches Ukraine border area' in battle for Kursk|date=2025-03-28 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/28/russia-ukraine-live-putin-demands-ukraine-elections/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Angelica |last2=Wolkov |first2=Nicole |last3=Mappes |first3=Grace |last4=Gibson |first4=Olivia |last5=Gasparyan |first5=Davit |last6=Hird |first6=Karolina |last7=Trotter |first7=Nate |last8=Runkel |first8=William |date=27 March 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 27, 2025 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-27-2025 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}} At the end of March, Russian forces captured Veselivka,{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 31, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-31-2025 |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} which was later confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-29 |title=Russia claims to capture Sumy Oblast border village |url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-to-capture-sumy-oblast-border-village/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 29, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-29-2025 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} However, Ukrainian officials denied the reports of the Russian breakthrough.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-29 |title=No border breakthrough recorded in Sumy region, but Russia is operating with small assault groups - Demchenko |url=https://unn.ua/en/news/no-border-breakthrough-recorded-in-sumy-region-but-russia-is-operating-with-small-assault-groups-demchenko |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Ukrainian National News |language=en}}{{Cite news|title=Ukraine Denies Reports Of Russian Breakthrough In Sumy Region |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/sumy-kharkiv-donetsk-synyehubov--zelenskiy-trump/33234659.html |access-date=2025-03-30 |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}}

By April 2025, Ukraine estimated that around 62,000 to 65,000 Russian soldiers mainly from 76th Airborne Division and the 83rd VDV Brigade and border guards were in Kursk Oblast.{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 9, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-9-2025 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} On April 13, Russian state media claimed that their forces had seized 70 square kilometers in Sumy Oblast.{{Cite web |title=Penilaian Kampanye Ofensif Rusia, 14 April 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-14-2025 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} On April 24, Russian forces were confirmed to have captured Basivka and advanced southwards to Loknia.{{Cite web |date=24 April 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 24, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-24-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}} By 24 May, geolocated footage showed that Russian forces have captured central and southern parts of {{ill|Loknya, Sumy Raion|uk|Локня (Сумський район)|lt=Loknia}} and advanced into northern part of the Yunakivka.{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 8, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-8-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}[https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3996706-sumy-rma-refutes-russian-claims-about-capture-of-yunakivka.html Sumy RMA refutes Russian claims about ‘capture’ of Yunakivka]