Head of Sumy Regional State Administration, Volodymyr Artyukh: The Kursk operation has achieved its objective.

The Sumy region has been suffering from Russian shelling and enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups for nearly three years of full-scale war. The Russians are actively shelling the border area using artillery and aviation. How the situation in the region and in Sumy has changed since the start of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Kursk operation is discussed in an interview with RBC-Ukraine by the head of the Sumy regional military administration, Volodymyr Artyukh.

You can watch the full interview on the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel. Below is a condensed text version of the conversation.

– How has the situation in the Sumy region changed with the start of the Kursk operation?

– From our side, the operation was offensive, while the enemy was defending. In areas where our troops entered the territory of the Kursk region, the number of shellings increased. However, the number of artillery systems, machine guns, and small arms decreased, as the enemy was pushed back 20-30 km from the border.

At the same time, there has been a significant increase in the number of airstrikes, in hundreds of times – up to 30-40 launches of guided aerial bombs per day. Last year, there were only isolated cases, but now this is happening systematically. We are recording strikes on our critical infrastructure facilities and populated areas – private homes and apartment buildings.

The aim of these shellings is to demoralize the population, to force them to leave the areas where they live. Moreover, by destroying life support systems – energy systems, water supply, mobile communications – conditions are created that make it difficult for the population to stay here.

– What is the current situation in the frontline territories?

– This year, the enemy has destroyed a significant number of critical infrastructure facilities – energy, gas, and water supply. We had to work quite hard to prepare for the heating season. Without the support of central authorities, this would have been impossible, as we had to attract serious powerful organizations and finances for restoration work.

As of today, we were able to start the heating season on time. To ensure that the population does not suffer from possible enemy shellings of energy system facilities, we worked on creating a robust reserve energy supply park. Thanks to our international partners, we managed to secure both critical infrastructure facilities and populated areas. So, in this regard, we were prepared.

The recent shellings of critical infrastructure facilities both here and across Ukraine show that the enemy is using new methods and techniques to create conditions under which the population feels vulnerable. The enemy is trying to intimidate the population and induce a state of distrust towards the Armed Forces and the authorities, aiming to make people leave.

– Has the number of shellings of Sumy by missiles and "Shaheds" increased recently?

– Sumy has been shelled continuously. The enemy mostly used "Shaheds" against our population. Missile strikes began more this year, and they were not related to the Kursk operation; the main targets (that the enemy was hitting – ed.) were energy and critical infrastructure. They were destroyed by both "Shaheds" and missiles. If in 2023 three missiles were used, today it is already hundreds of times more. Especially now, the enemy has likely received a sufficient number of these means of destruction. The amount of precision weaponry used in recent weeks has been unprecedented.

– Given the intensity of shellings and proximity to the front, does the region need to strengthen air defense?

– The Supreme Commander-in-Chief visited and held a meeting here, and these issues were discussed quite thoroughly. The President personally set tasks to increase the forces and means of air defense. By the President's order, the number of personnel and the amount of air defense equipment has increased. In the last three months, over 400 "Shaheds" have been destroyed, whereas by August, we had destroyed about 120 "Shaheds" in seven months.

– What is the situation with the population of the Kursk region?

– The Russians left their civilian population to fend for themselves during the Kursk operation. They surrendered these settlements almost without a fight. There was virtually no resistance from the territorial defense. Of course, Russian troops resisted, but how did they treat the population? There was no evacuation or assistance whatsoever. Today, these tasks have been assigned to our troops.

We are also providing humanitarian convoys. We send humanitarian aid – bread, water, and other assistance. Many elderly people and children remain there. Therefore, this task is also assigned to our region. Together with the Armed Forces, we are fulfilling this.

– Is the evacuation of the population currently taking place in the Sumy region?

– Over the three years of war, we have had three waves of evacuation, the last one before the Kursk operation. For each wave, we worked proactively, understanding that the enemy was achieving its goals. We knew when and what would happen in those settlements where our troops entered, and we carried out the appropriate evacuation measures in advance. The people understand this now. If we announce an evacuation, it means there will be danger. During the Kursk operation, evacuation activities were carried out more intensively. People heard, saw, and felt how the enemy was using weapons and which targets were being attacked. The agricultural sector began to be destroyed, as well as border schools.

As of today, we have evacuated almost 40,000 people from the five-kilometer zone. But much more remains. Almost all forced evacuation measures were aimed at evacuating children and families with children. Today, we have evacuated over 7,000 children. Unfortunately, not everyone is making decisions. However, I believe we have saved 40,000 people, including children. And I am confident that others will also make decisions in favor of their lives.

– Are there still many people left in the settlements near the border?

– There are still many. If we take all settlements, there are over 180 that need to be evacuated.

– I often hear from people that they don’t want to evacuate because they have nowhere to go. How do you convince those you are evacuating from the border area in Sumy region?

– There are different approaches. I personally participated when it was necessary to convince a person who did not want to leave. We call their daughter, who is in Zaporizhzhia. She says: "Mom, you need to leave; we have a place there"...

Regarding the conditions. We evacuated all children, including social orphans, from the five-kilometer zone. We received significant help from other regions: Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk. They offered places for people to go with their families.

For adults, we have prepared accommodation, and there are still places available, but not in the quantity that could satisfy tens of thousands. Just in one city, Hlukhiv, we needed to evacuate 30,000 residents. The figures are quite serious for fulfillment. For the time being, there are prepared places where we accommodate them. But the most significant help comes from relatives and friends; they go to their families.

Moreover, we have prepared many dormitories because our education is online, and they are vacant. Businesses are also buying places and creating conditions for people to return, where there are jobs, houses with heating, and everything is provided for free, including meals; these processes are also ongoing.

– Is it true that enemy forces were preparing an offensive on Sumy? Why did the Kursk operation begin?

– This was a preventive measure and should be viewed in the context of the Kharkiv operation. When the Kharkiv operation began, the enemy had amassed many troops in the Sumy direction. This was documented. To prevent the enemy from advancing towards Sumy, the Kursk operation was conducted.

We noted their deployment; we knew the enemy had gathered forces that were supposed to advance. The warning led to the planning of this operation. The enemy planned that if the Kharkiv operation went according to their plans, we would be next. But our defenders held their positions, and the Russians' plans failed. Our Armed Forces took advantage of this and entered the Kursk region.

However, it is not so easy to plan; it required a specific timeframe and information about the enemy, their condition, and location. In my opinion, this was a very well-planned operation that achieved its goal; we entered enemy territory and began to strike at the enemy on their territory, destroying them there. The enemy's infrastructure is being destroyed, not ours. Therefore, from all sides, this was an example of proper combat planning.

– Is there training being conducted for the defense of Sumy in case the situation in the Kursk region changes in favor of the enemy?

– In 2024, a significant resource has been allocated to Sumy with the help of the