Ukrainian forces are engaged in intense combat to repel a Russian attempt to break through defensive lines in the north-eastern Sumy region, military officials confirmed on Sunday. The fighting marks a significant escalation in an area that had seen relative calm since Ukrainian forces reclaimed territory there in 2022.
Ground Fighting and Alleged Civilian Abductions
The Ukrainian joint taskforce stated that fighting is currently ongoing in the border village of Grabovske, with troops working to drive invading forces back into Russian territory. The military has denied Russian media claims that Moscow's troops have also entered the neighbouring village of Ryasne.
In a concerning development, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman reported that Russian troops forcibly moved approximately 50 people from Grabovske to Russia on Sunday. Moscow has not officially commented on the allegation. This report follows the Russian military's announcement on Saturday that it had captured the village of Vysoke, located a short distance from Grabovske.
Diplomatic Efforts Yield Little Progress
Separately, US and Ukrainian envoys issued a joint statement describing recent talks in Miami, Florida, as "productive and constructive." The discussions involved Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Ukraine's top negotiator, Rustem Umerov. However, the statement did not announce any breakthrough towards ending the invasion.
Witkoff emphasised that the shared priority was to stop the killing and create conditions for Ukraine's recovery. "Peace must be not only a cessation of hostilities, but also a dignified foundation for a stable future," he stated on social media platform X.
The Kremlin, however, swiftly denied that three-way talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US were being prepared. Vladimir Putin's foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters the initiative was not under serious discussion, contradicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's earlier remarks that Washington had suggested the format.
Western Intelligence and International Response
According to Reuters, US intelligence reports continue to warn that Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his maximalist aims of seizing all of Ukraine and parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet Union. The most recent intelligence assessment dates from late September.
Mike Quigley, a Democratic member of the US House intelligence committee, told Reuters, "The intelligence has always been that Putin wants more. The Europeans are convinced of it. The Poles are absolutely convinced of it. The Baltics think they’re first."
On the international front, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed efforts to achieve a "just and lasting end" to the war in a call with Donald Trump following the Florida talks. The leaders reflected on the conflict and the work of the coalition of countries supporting Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Russia criticised efforts by European and Ukrainian officials to amend US proposals for ending the war. Ushakov claimed the proposed tweaks could prolong the conflict and did not improve the prospects for achieving long-term peace.
The situation underscores the ongoing volatility on the battlefield as diplomatic manoeuvres continue on day 1,398 of a war with no immediate end in sight.
