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Russia’s apical wide said its forces were pressing guardant successful northeastern Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin had ordered enlargement of territory Moscow calls a buffer portion there successful 2026, Russian quality agencies said connected Wednesday (December 31, 2025).
Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said Mr. Putin ordered enlargement successful 2026 of the buffer portion successful Ukraine’s regions of Sumy and Kharkiv adjacent the Russian border, RIA said, adding that he inspected the “North” unit grouping.
The grouping, formed successful aboriginal 2024, has operated successful northeastern Ukraine, seeking to make a buffer on the borderline and trying to propulsion backmost Ukrainian forces determination for further advances.
Mr. Gerasimov's remarks travel Russia's vow to retaliate for what it claimed, without evidence, was an effort to onslaught Mr. Putin's residence, an allegation Kyiv denied, saying it was aimed astatine derailing bid talks arsenic the warfare nears its fourth year.
There was nary contiguous absorption from Ukraine to the Gerasimov report.
Mr. Putin has repeatedly portrayed the buffer portion arsenic a mode to propulsion Ukrainian forces and weapons farther from Russia’s border, citing cross-border shelling and drone attacks connected regions specified arsenic Belgorod and Kursk.
Kyiv has rejected Moscow’s buffer portion calling it an idea Russia is utilizing to warrant deeper incursions into Ukrainian territory.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Moscow’s plans for Sumy and Kharkiv are “mad” and volition beryllium resisted arsenic Ukraine defends the regions.
