"If the Russians enter, Sumy will become Bakhmut" / hromadske

Russian tanks were already in the center of their city by midday on February 24, 2022. On that very day, they took up arms and stood in defense of Sumy as part of the territorial defense. Initially, they were infantrymen, and later they became a SAM unit within the 117th Territorial Defense Brigade. For three years now, the group under Ruslan's command — a former ranger (hence his call sign) — has been defending Sumy.

And not just Sumy. Russian drones fly through the city, heading deeper into Ukraine. As Ruslan explains, on this route, the Russians launch drones from Kursk, Oryol, and Bryansk. That’s why the air defense units stand guard both day and night.

"As long as Russia exists, Sumy will be a frontline city," says Ruslan.
The distance from Sumy to the border is 30 km. After the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Sudja, the gray zone in Sumy region is expanding: Russian forces are taking control of villages near the border. The threat of occupation looms over the city again.
"I don’t think they will come in. They may try, but I think they won’t have the strength yet. DRGs are coming in — 10-15 people at a time. If they enter, Sumy will cease to exist — it will be Bakhmut. If their Sudja is already Bakhmut. There is nothing left. They’ve leveled everything. Let them build now. But who will build it? It will be a desert," comments Andriy (DID), a gunner.

To find out what Sumy’s soldiers think about the Russian threat to the city, watch the report by Diana Butsko and Vladyslav Safronov.

---
Friends, if you share the values of hromadske and want to join our community, follow this link and choose your subscription level:
https://community.hromadske.ua

You can also donate to the hromadske fund via Monobank:
https://send.monobank.ua/jar/6BYQbrQcUx

Become a sponsor of this channel to receive bonuses:    / @hromadske_ua  

Subscribe to us so you don’t miss the most important news from Ukraine and the world: https://goo.gl/Vt2i4n

---
At hromadske, we do not stop our work during the war. Our journalists and editors are currently working in both eastern and western regions, from improvised offices, shelters, and basements, because the truth is our weapon.
---
Friends, if you share the values of hromadske and have already donated to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces, you can also support us:
https://community.hromadske.ua

Visit our website: https://hromadske.ua/

Follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://fb.com/hromadskeua
Twitter:   / hromadskeua  
Telegram: https://t.me/hromadske_ua
Instagram:   / hromadske.ua  
TikTok:   / hromadske.ua  

#hromadske #war2022hromadske