The spokesperson for Ukraine’s General Staff, Dmytro Lykhoviy, has refuted alarming reports that began circulating widely on social media and Telegram channels on April 10 about a supposed Russian offensive on the cities of Sumy and Kharkiv. In a Facebook post, Lykhoviy emphasized that these dramatic headlines are exaggerated and do not reflect the actual situation on the frontline.
According to him, the wave of panic was sparked by distortions of an interview given by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi to Livyi Bereh. Lykhoviy pointed out that Syrskyi explicitly stated, “The situation has not changed dramatically.” He added that while the number of Russian offensive actions has nearly doubled on all major fronts, this is something both the General Staff and the President report on daily.
Lykhoviy stressed that this is not a new phase of the war, but a continuation of the offensive activity that intensified back in May 2024, particularly in the Kharkiv, Kursk, and northern Sumy border directions. Despite this, the situation remains under control. Ukrainian forces are conducting a defensive operation, and on certain sections of the front, they are engaging in active defense and achieving tactical successes.
The spokesperson also reminded the public that Russian forces have failed for months to capture key cities in Donetsk region, such as Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar. An offensive on Sumy or Kharkiv is even less likely, as Ukraine has built layered defenses and fortifications in those areas.
“The increased activity of the enemy in northern Sumy and Kharkiv regions is a statement of fact, but not a reason for clickbait panic headlines,” Lykhoviy concluded.