Stand behind Ukrainian independent journalism when it’s needed most. Help us reach 20,000 members.

Skip to content
Edit post

Zelensky: Russia attempts to advance in Kharkiv, Sumy oblasts in new spring offensive

by Volodymyr Ivanyshyn April 10, 2025 1:35 AM 2 min read
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, during a Bloomberg Television interview at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Russia is attempting to break through in northeastern Ukraine and continues to press on in the east with a new spring offensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on April 9.

Russia's spring offensive in northeastern Ukraine "has actually already begun," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on April 9. Zelensky earlier warned that Russia is preparing for a fresh offensive against the Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts this spring.

"Today, more than 67,000 Russian soldiers are located in the Kursk direction. (Russia) completed the relocation for an attack in the Sumy direction," Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have taken successful steps to prevent a Russian advance towards Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts from Russia's Belgorod Oblast, he added.

"There are a lot of attempts there, daily. They (Russia) are bearing losses... There will be more attempts in the Kharkiv and Sumy directions," Zelensky said.

Zelensky cautioned that Russia has not changed its goal to capture large swathes of Ukrainian territory in its full-scale war against Ukraine and continues to press on in all directions.

"We believe that they have not changed their plans - Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia directions. They do not forget about the east. This (provides) access to the borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. This was their plan from the very beginning of the war," Zelensky said.

Russia saw its greatest tactical gains in November 2024, Zelensky said, adding that afterwards, Russian losses grew a lot and advances declined.

In an interview published on March 26, Zelensky said, "We must look at the situation with our eyes wide open. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is preparing a new offensive, particularly in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts."

"I can confirm that Putin is trying to get time and is preparing for a spring offensive. We see preparations for this upcoming operation," he added.

Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine, obtained documents show
The documents, obtained by the Kyiv Independent, list the names, personal data, brigades, and ranks of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia.

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Can we reach 20,000 members?

News Feed

7:04 PM

Ultimate guide on how drones changed warfare in Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrel provides an ultimate guide on how drones have changed the warfare in Ukraine — starting with an embed with a drone unit of the National Guard’s 14th Chervona Kalyna Brigade and providing even more insights with a step-by-step simulation on how fighting for an average village in Ukraine looks like now, three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.