**Russia Seeks to Advance Along Entire Eastern Front in Ukraine**
In a worrying development, Russian forces are attempting to advance along almost the entire front in eastern Ukraine. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told journalists on June 21 that Moscow is trying to establish a buffer zone in northeastern Sumy Oblast.
The comments come as Russia launched a new summer offensive against Ukraine, disregarding calls by Kyiv and its Western partners for an unconditional ceasefire. The goal of the offensive is to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in the east, and create a buffer zone in the border areas of Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.
**Ukraine Fights Against 695,000 Russian Troops**
As of mid-June, Ukrainian defenders are fighting close to 695,000 Russian troops across a 1,200-kilometer (750-mile) front. Syrskyi noted that Ukraine has managed to stop the Russian advance in Sumy Oblast at the moment.
“Fortunately, we have recaptured Andriivka, and advanced between 200 and 700 meters in Yunakivka in a week,” he said. However, Russian forces are also attempting to fully oust Ukrainian troops from Russia’s home territory in the Kursk and Belgorod oblasts.
**Ukraine Retains Control Over 90 Square Kilometers**
“We control about 90 square kilometers (35 square miles) in the Glushkovsky district of Russia’s Kursk Oblast,” Syrskyi said. Ukraine launched a cross-border offensive into Kursk Oblast last August, initially seizing 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) but losing most of this territory in a Russian counteroffensive earlier this year.
**Ukrainian Military Scales Up Assault Units**
The Ukrainian military is scaling up its assault units to counter the Russian advance. “We are teaching teenagers how to avoid recruitment by Russian intelligence online,” Ukraine’s security service (SBU) said in a statement.
In addition, the Ukrainian government has made several decisions in light of Russia’s overt threats, including a diplomatic overhaul, intensified sanctions efforts, and increased funding for drone development. “The president has already made certain personnel decisions regarding the heads of some foreign institutions, because the criterion is very simple: results,” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on June 21.
**Global Response to Russia’s Actions**
Meanwhile, global leaders are responding to Russia’s actions with concern. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is attempting to influence U.S. President Donald Trump amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. “Everything else is being streamlined to minimize risk,” one unnamed European defense official told Politico.
The situation on the ground remains fluid, but one thing is clear: Ukraine will continue to fight against Russian aggression, with or without international support.
