On July 19 and 20, Russian troops carried out limited offensive operations in the northern Sumy region but were unable to break through.

According to Ukrinform, this is reported in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

“Russian forces conducted limited offensive operations in northern Sumy Oblast on July 19 and 20 but did not advance,” the report states.

According to analysts, Russia continues to attempt to establish defensible buffer zones in the Sumy region along the border with Ukraine.

Geolocated footage published on July 18 confirms Russian strikes on Ukrainian positions in the Sumy region southeast of Oleksandriia, as well as along the border west of Kucherov in Russia’s Kursk region.

Both settlements are located northwest of the city of Sumy. This indicates that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding their positions in this area, contrary to statements by Russian officials, the ISW noted.

A source reporting on the activities of the Russian Northern Grouping of Forces stated on July 20 that the Russians are attempting to consolidate their positions in the eastern part of Taratutyne (southeast of the city of Sumy).

As reported by Ukrinform, ISW data indicate that the pace of the Russian offensive in Ukraine has slowed by a factor of 16 over the past year. In June, the invaders captured only a few dozen kilometers of Ukrainian territory.