Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) recently eliminated a Russian reconnaissance group attempting to cross Ukraine’s northern border, taking one of the enemy soldiers prisoner.
Operators from the 6th Ranger SSO Regiment ambushed the group near Ukraine’s northern border, successfully halting the incursion in the direction of North Slobozhansky.
Footage released by the SSO on Telegram shows bodycam and infrared camera recordings of a close-quarter encounter that resulted in several Russian soldiers being killed. Kyiv Post was unable to independently verify the time and location of the video.
Included in the footage is the moment the captured Russian soldier thanked Ukrainian forces for allowing him to survive.
“This successful SSO raid once again confirms the high level of professionalism and effectiveness of Ukrainian special forces in protecting the country’s borders,” the statement said.
Due to increasing Russian activity along the border, particularly in the Sumy region, Ukraine’s Armed Forces (AFU) announced on June 16 that they would begin reporting separately on the North Slobozhansky front.
US President Donald Trump said he is “closely” watching the growing deployment of Russian forces near Ukraine’s northeastern city of Sumy, located just 31 kilometers (19 miles) from the Russian border.
Responding to a reporter’s question about a possible Russian offensive, Trump said he was monitoring the situation but has so far refused to pressure Moscow to accept a ceasefire proposal.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Russia has amassed 50,000 troops near Sumy after forcing Ukrainian troops out of neighboring Kursk – roughly equivalent to one-third of the force it deployed at the start of the 2022 full-scale invasion.
The report contradicted comments by AFU Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, who said on June 26 that Ukraine had stabilized the front and halted Russian advances in the region.
An analysis by the UK’s Telegraph also indicated that Russia’s summer offensive has stalled, with troops failing to make significant breakthroughs near Sumy.
The city, once home to 255,000 people, now sits near the frontline. Following Russia’s spring push – supported by North Korean units – Kyiv was forced to evacuate nearby areas. However, Ukraine has recently begun to retake ground: on June 14, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the liberation of Andriivka, located close to the border of the Sumy region.