Russian breakthrough in Sumy Oblast: fighting with around 100 Russian soldiers continues in Hrabovske

Around 100 Russian soldiers have entered the village of Hrabovske in Ukraine's Sumy Oblast and attempted to advance towards Riasne. As of 23 December, fighting is ongoing in the settlement.

Source: Lieutenant Colonel Viktor Trehubov, Head of Communications for Ukraine's Joint Forces, speaking on Suspilne. Studio

Details: The officer said that "the attack was sudden". Russian troops entered Hrabovske (from where the Russians abducted 52 civilians) and attempted to seize the village with further movement towards Riasne.

"At present, Russian units are entrenching themselves in the southern part of Hrabovske. Ukrainian forces are trying to dislodge them from their positions. Fighting is ongoing in the village," Trehubov said.

He also expressed the view that settlements located directly on the border with Russia, from which it is possible to enter Russian territory on foot, can likely be secured only if a zone of control by Ukrainian forces is created several kilometres deep inside Russian territory.

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