Last Tuesday, Oksana and her family found themselves in a life-threatening situation when Ukrainian forces made their first incursion into Russian territory. Without knowing what was happening, they were caught in a retaliatory strike by Russian forces, who bombed their village located just seven miles from the border.
The intensity of the bombing, described by Oksana as “very scary, much bigger” than anything they had experienced before, left them no choice but to flee. With the help of a neighbor, they were evacuated to the city of Sumy, where they joined hundreds of other displaced people seeking refuge.
The sudden escalation has displaced many residents from the Ukrainian borderlands, all of whom have similar stories of the fear and chaos that followed the surprise attack. Mykola, a 69-year-old evacuee from a village just five miles from the border, described the recent violence as unprecedented, far surpassing the periodic shelling they had previously endured.
Ukrainian authorities, although caught off guard by the attack, quickly ordered the mandatory evacuation of thousands of residents from border villages. The future remains uncertain for these evacuees, as it is unclear when they might be able to return to their homes.
Ukrainian Forces Advance Into Russia, Displacing Border Residents Amid Escalating Conflict
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have made significant advances into Russian territory, capturing 28 villages in the Kursk oblast, which borders Ukraine’s Sumy region. According to Russian state media and regional officials, Ukraine’s incursion extends up to 12 kilometers deep along a 40-kilometer front.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy suggested that the area under Ukrainian control might be even larger, with claims of controlling around 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory. This development marks a significant moment in the conflict, as it is the first time since World War II that Russia has had its territory occupied by a foreign power.
In response to Ukraine’s offensive, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to deliver a “worthy response” and emphasized the need for Russian forces to drive out the Ukrainian invaders. Putin framed the Ukrainian attack as a political maneuver aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position in any future peace negotiations, with the support of Western allies.
Despite these claims, there has been little evidence so far of Russian success in stopping the Ukrainian advance, which continues to gain ground in the border region.
As the conflict intensifies, the prospect of peace talks remains distant. The Kremlin has indicated a willingness to end the war based on the current lines of control, which would leave Russia in control of significant portions of Ukrainian territory.
However, Ukraine has consistently rejected this notion, insisting on the restoration of its internationally recognized borders and pursuing NATO membership, a demand that Russia has repeatedly dismissed as unacceptable. In Sumy, the displaced residents showed little enthusiasm for an immediate peace, believing that Ukraine’s actions were a necessary form of self-defense.
Among the displaced, there is a strong sense of resolve and support for Ukraine’s military actions. Despite the dangers they faced, many, like Liudmyla, expressed relief and even euphoria at Ukraine’s decision to launch the attack, viewing it as a necessary step to defend their homeland.
Mykola shared this sentiment, voicing hope that Ukraine’s recent successes, bolstered by Western support, would continue. The refugees in Sumy remain hopeful that Ukraine’s military gains will bring further international assistance, strengthening their country’s position in the ongoing conflict.
