**Residents of Sumy, Ukraine Weigh Their Chances as Russian Troops Approach**
In the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, residents are facing a difficult decision: stay or leave. The city, home to around 250,000 people, is within range of Russian artillery after Moscow’s forces pushed across the Ukraine-Russian border earlier this year.
For Vladyslav Solomko, a 29-year-old French language tutor, the question of whether to stay or leave is a pressing one. His parents are being urged by him to leave their home in Sumy if Russian forces capture the city. “I keep asking them to leave,” Solomko said on Friday, standing in front of a concrete air raid shelter that had been installed in the street to protect people from Russian drone and missile attacks.
Solomko’s concerns are not unfounded. On June 3, four people were killed and nearly 30 were injured when a Russian short-range battlefield rocket landed in the center of Sumy. The incident was a stark reminder of the dangers posed by Russian forces in the region.
Despite the risks, some residents are choosing to stay put. Sergiy Petrakov, a 63-year-old resident of Sumy, said he trusted Ukraine’s armed forces to push back the Russian advance and would be willing to help build barricades and man checkpoints. “We shall overcome, I think,” he said.
However, for many others, the decision to leave is becoming increasingly difficult. Olha Kalchenko, a 29-year-old on maternity leave from her job as an accountant, said she had been thinking about leaving with her seven-month-old daughter, Oleksandra. “As long as they (Russian troops) are still a bit further away, it’s still okay to live here,” she said. “But if they get closer we will start thinking and planning to leave.”
The situation in Sumy is precarious, with displaced people from outlying villages being given refuge in public buildings. The city’s proximity to the border with Russia has made it a target for Russian forces, who have been trying to encircle Ukrainian cities and gain control over strategic territories.
As the conflict escalates, residents of Sumy are left to weigh their chances against the backdrop of uncertainty. While some choose to stay put, others are preparing to leave, hoping to find safer haven elsewhere in Ukraine or beyond its borders.
**Analysis**
The situation in Sumy is a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Russian advance has created a sense of unease among residents, who are facing difficult decisions about whether to stay or leave their homes.
While some residents are choosing to stay put, others are preparing to leave, hoping to find safer haven elsewhere. This decision is not taken lightly, as many residents have nowhere to go and are forced to weigh the risks against the benefits of staying in their hometown.
The situation in Sumy highlights the human cost of war and the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The international community must continue to play a crucial role in supporting Ukraine and working towards a negotiated settlement that brings an end to the bloodshed.
**What’s Next**
As the situation in Sumy continues to unfold, residents are bracing themselves for the worst. The city is within range of Russian artillery, and the risk of further attacks is high.
The international community must continue to monitor the situation closely and provide support to Ukraine as it navigates this challenging period. A peaceful resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is long overdue, and it is essential that all parties work towards a negotiated settlement that brings an end to the bloodshed and allows residents like those in Sumy to live without fear of attack.
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