Ukrainian forces liberate Bezsalivka village in Sumy region

Ukrainian troops have liberated and fully cleared the village of Bezsalivka in the Sumy region from Russian occupation, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced. The settlement is located near the Russian border.

According to the statement, units from the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment and the 24th Separate Assault Battalion took part in the operation, killing 18 Russian soldiers during the fighting.

On July 7, 2025, Russia’s Ministry of Defense had claimed it had captured Bezsalivka. However, Ukrainian forces have now retaken full control.

Yuriy Zharko, head of the Bilopillia community, said only a few residents remain in the village, having refused evacuation. Communication with them is currently impossible due to the lack of mobile network coverage.

Russian forces have recently intensified attacks along the Sumy border, with the aim of creating a so-called “buffer zone.” Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service reports active enemy sabotage and reconnaissance units, as well as small assault groups, operating in the area.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously warned that Russia had amassed over 50,000 troops in the Sumy direction.

Despite these efforts, UK intelligence stated that Russian forces have made no significant gains in the region over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, shelling and drone strikes on Sumy and the surrounding areas have intensified, including today’s drone attack on the Sumy Regional Administration building.