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{{Short description|Military occupation by Russia}}
{{Short description|Military occupation by Russia}}
{{merge|Russian occupation of Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava oblasts|Russian occupation of Zhytomyr Oblast|Russian occupation of Chernihiv Oblast|target=Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|discuss=Talk:Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine#Merger proposal|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox event
{{Infobox event
|title=Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast
|title=Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast
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|partof=the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
|partof=the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
|caption= [[Sumy Oblast]]:{{center block|{{Legend2|FDE283|Ukrainian territory never occupied}}<br />{{Legend2|90c2b5|Ukrainian territory liberated from occupation}}}}
|caption= [[Sumy Oblast]]:{{center block|{{Legend2|FDE283|Ukrainian territory never occupied}}<br />{{Legend2|90c2b5|Ukrainian territory liberated from occupation}}}}
|date=26 February 2022–7 April 2022 <br />{{small|({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=02|day1=26|year1=2022|month2=04|day2=07|year2=2022}})}}
|date=24 February 2022–7 April 2022 <br />{{small|({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=02|day1=24|year1=2022|month2=04|day2=07|year2=2022}})}}
|place=[[Sumy Oblast]], [[Ukraine]]
|place=[[Sumy Oblast]], [[Ukraine]]
}}
}}


The '''Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast''' was a [[military occupation]] that began on 24 February 2022, when [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian forces invaded Ukraine]] and began capturing parts of the [[Sumy Oblast]]. The capital of the Oblast, [[Sumy]], was [[Battle of Sumy|never captured]] by [[Russia]]n forces, however, other cites were captured including [[Konotop]] and [[Trostianets]]. On 6 April, Russian forces left the oblast, ending its military occupation.
The '''Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast''' was a [[military occupation]] that began on 24 February 2022, when [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian forces invaded Ukraine]] and began capturing parts of the [[Sumy Oblast]]. The capital of the Oblast, [[Sumy]], was [[Battle of Sumy|never captured]] by [[Russia]]n forces, however, other cites were captured including [[Konotop]] and [[Trostianets]]. On 7 April, [[Dmytro Zhyvytskyi]], governor of Sumy Oblast, said that all Russian troops had left the region, but it was still unsafe due to rigged explosives and other ammunition Russian troops had left behind.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/8/7338013/ |title=Sumy region liberated from Russian troops |first=Anastasiya |last=Kalatur |work=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]] |date=8 April 2022 |access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref>


== Occupation ==
== Occupation ==
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On 25 February, Russian forces [[Battle of Konotop (2022)|captured the city]] of [[Konotop]], {{convert|90|km|mi}} from the Russian border.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ward |first=Alexander |date=25 February 2022 |title='Almost not possible' for Ukraine to win without West's help, Ukraine official says |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://politi.co/3LWSyC5 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226175146/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2022/02/25/almost-not-possible-for-ukraine-to-win-00011969 |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukraine war news from February 25: Kyiv suburbs breached, Russian forces face resistance, Zelensky warns Russia will 'storm' capital |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/93554a7e-f974-49fc-85ba-c111d253b002 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226151541/https://www.ft.com/content/93554a7e-f974-49fc-85ba-c111d253b002 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |issn=0307-1766}}</ref>
On 25 February, Russian forces [[Battle of Konotop (2022)|captured the city]] of [[Konotop]], {{convert|90|km|mi}} from the Russian border.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ward |first=Alexander |date=25 February 2022 |title='Almost not possible' for Ukraine to win without West's help, Ukraine official says |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://politi.co/3LWSyC5 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226175146/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2022/02/25/almost-not-possible-for-ukraine-to-win-00011969 |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukraine war news from February 25: Kyiv suburbs breached, Russian forces face resistance, Zelensky warns Russia will 'storm' capital |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/93554a7e-f974-49fc-85ba-c111d253b002 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226151541/https://www.ft.com/content/93554a7e-f974-49fc-85ba-c111d253b002 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |issn=0307-1766}}</ref>


On 2 March, [[Artem Semenikhin|Artem Seminikhin]], the mayor of Konotop, stated that Russian forces in the city warned him that they would shell the city if the residents resisted them. Russian vehicles, deployed outside the City Council, were surrounded by locals.<ref name="Artem">{{Cite web |title=As Russian invaders demand that Konotop surrender, mayor explicitly defies threats |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417910-as-russian-invaders-demand-that-konotop-surrender-mayor-explicitly-defies-threats.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.net |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303231346/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417910-as-russian-invaders-demand-that-konotop-surrender-mayor-explicitly-defies-threats.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Seminikhin asked the residents of the city whether they wanted to fight or surrender, whereupon the residents "overwhelmingly" refused to surrender.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Мер Конотопа: місту поставили ультиматум – за опір накриють артилерією|url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mer-konotopa-gorodu-postavili-ultimatum-soprotivlenie-1646210756.html|access-date=25 February 2022|author=Valeria Polischuk|work=RBC Ukraine|language=uk|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303231331/https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mer-konotopa-gorodu-postavili-ultimatum-soprotivlenie-1646210756.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Khavin |first1=Dmitriy |last2=Botti |first2=David |last3=Tiefenthäler |first3=Ainara |date=2 March 2022 |title=Mayor in Ukraine asks his city's residents whether they wish to fight or surrender. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/mayor-russian-troop-grenade.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303040505/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/mayor-russian-troop-grenade.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in the day, city authorities negotiated with Russian forces, with talks lasting 12 minutes. An agreement was reached under which Russian forces accepted not to change the city's government, deploy troops in the city, obstruct transportation, or remove the Ukrainian flag. In return, the city officials agreed that the residents would not attack Russian forces.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Бої на Сумщині – влада Конотопа провела переговори з окупантами після ультиматуму|url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/stali-izvestny-rezultaty-peregovorov-vlastey-1646221123.html|access-date=25 February 2022|author=Natalia Gurkovskaya|work=RBC Ukraine|language=uk|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306141128/https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/stali-izvestny-rezultaty-peregovorov-vlastey-1646221123.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 2 March, [[Artem Semenikhin|Artem Seminikhin]], the mayor of Konotop, stated that Russian forces in the city warned him that they would shell the city if the residents resisted them. Russian vehicles, deployed outside the City Council, were surrounded by locals.<ref name="Artem">{{Cite web |title=As Russian invaders demand that Konotop surrender, mayor explicitly defies threats |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417910-as-russian-invaders-demand-that-konotop-surrender-mayor-explicitly-defies-threats.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=2 March 2022 |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303231346/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417910-as-russian-invaders-demand-that-konotop-surrender-mayor-explicitly-defies-threats.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Seminikhin asked the residents of the city whether they wanted to fight or surrender, whereupon the residents "overwhelmingly" refused to surrender.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Мер Конотопа: місту поставили ультиматум – за опір накриють артилерією|url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mer-konotopa-gorodu-postavili-ultimatum-soprotivlenie-1646210756.html|access-date=25 February 2022|author=Valeria Polischuk|work=RBC Ukraine|language=uk|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303231331/https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mer-konotopa-gorodu-postavili-ultimatum-soprotivlenie-1646210756.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Khavin |first1=Dmitriy |last2=Botti |first2=David |last3=Tiefenthäler |first3=Ainara |date=2 March 2022 |title=Mayor in Ukraine asks his city's residents whether they wish to fight or surrender. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/mayor-russian-troop-grenade.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303040505/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/mayor-russian-troop-grenade.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in the day, city authorities negotiated with Russian forces, with talks lasting 12 minutes. An agreement was reached under which Russian forces accepted not to change the city's government, deploy troops in the city, obstruct transportation, or remove the Ukrainian flag. In return, the city officials agreed that the residents would not attack Russian forces.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Бої на Сумщині – влада Конотопа провела переговори з окупантами після ультиматуму|url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/stali-izvestny-rezultaty-peregovorov-vlastey-1646221123.html|access-date=25 February 2022|author=Natalia Gurkovskaya|work=RBC Ukraine|language=uk|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306141128/https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/stali-izvestny-rezultaty-peregovorov-vlastey-1646221123.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


On 7 March, the [[General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces|Ukrainian General Staff]] assessed that Russian forces at Konotop had taken 50 percent losses and were forced to regroup and resupply.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 7|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-7|access-date=8 April 2022|work=[[Institute for the Study of War]]|archive-date=27 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327191128/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-7|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 March, Ukrainian and Russian forces agreed to open a humanitarian corridor to evacuate citizens from Konotop.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 15|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-15|access-date=8 April 2022|work=Institute for the Study of War|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404111034/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-15|url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 March, Russian forces destroyed a bridge in Konotop.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 28|url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-28|access-date=8 April 2022|work=Institute for the Study of War|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404013802/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-28|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 7 March, the [[General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces|Ukrainian General Staff]] assessed that Russian forces at Konotop had taken 50 percent losses and were forced to regroup and resupply.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 7|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-7|access-date=8 April 2022|work=[[Institute for the Study of War]]|archive-date=27 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327191128/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-7|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 March, Ukrainian and Russian forces agreed to open a humanitarian corridor to evacuate citizens from Konotop.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 15|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-15|access-date=8 April 2022|work=Institute for the Study of War|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404111034/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-15|url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 March, Russian forces destroyed a bridge in Konotop.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 28|url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-28|access-date=8 April 2022|work=Institute for the Study of War|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404013802/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-28|url-status=live}}</ref>


On 2 April, it was reported that the Russian army maintained a corridor in [[Konotop Raion]] through which equipment from Kyiv and Chernihiv could be withdrawn to Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, April 2|url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2|access-date=8 April 2022|work=Institute for the Study of War|archive-date=3 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403224558/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 April, Ukrainian MP {{ILL|Olexander Kachura|uk}} stated on [[Twitter]] that all Russian forces had left Konotop Raion.<ref name="twitter">{{Cite tweet |number=1510611259456172040 |user=SputnikATO |title=Конотопский район освобожден от российских оккупантов. Об этом сообщил нардеп Александр Качура. Еще вчера глава Сумской областной военной администрации Дмитрий Живицкий заявлял, что армия РФ находится в районе Белополья и Конотопа. |date=3 April 2022 |language=Russian}}</ref> On 4 April 2022 [[Governor of Sumy Oblast|Sumy Oblast's Governor]] [[Dmytro Zhyvytskyi]] stated that Russian troops no longer occupied any towns or villages in Sumy Oblast and had mostly withdrawn, while Ukrainian troops were working to push out the remaining units.<ref>[https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/russian-troops-no-longer-hold-any-settlements-in-ukraines-sumy-region-says-governor Russian troops no longer hold any settlements in Ukraine's Sumy region, says governor], [[National Post]] (4 April 2022)</ref>
On 2 April, it was reported that the Russian army maintained a corridor in [[Konotop Raion]] through which equipment from Kyiv and Chernihiv could be withdrawn to Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, April 2|url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2|access-date=8 April 2022|work=Institute for the Study of War|archive-date=3 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403224558/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 April, Ukrainian MP {{ILL|Olexander Kachura|uk|Качура Олександр Анатолійович}} stated on [[Twitter]] that all Russian forces had left Konotop Raion.<ref name="twitter">{{Cite tweet |number=1510611259456172040 |user=SputnikATO |title=Конотопский район освобожден от российских оккупантов. Об этом сообщил нардеп Александр Качура. Еще вчера глава Сумской областной военной администрации Дмитрий Живицкий заявлял, что армия РФ находится в районе Белополья и Конотопа. |date=3 April 2022 |language=Russian}}</ref> On 4 April 2022 [[Governor of Sumy Oblast|Sumy Oblast's Governor]] [[Dmytro Zhyvytskyi]] stated that Russian troops no longer occupied any towns or villages in Sumy Oblast and had mostly withdrawn, while Ukrainian troops were working to push out the remaining units.<ref>[https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/russian-troops-no-longer-hold-any-settlements-in-ukraines-sumy-region-says-governor Russian troops no longer hold any settlements in Ukraine's Sumy region, says governor], [[National Post]] (4 April 2022)</ref>


On 5 April, Governor Zhyvytsky stated that the bodies of at least three tortured civilians had been found in the Konotop Raion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sumy Oblast Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky has reported that in Konotop district of Sumy Oblast, the Ukrainian military found the bodies of at least three tortured civilians |work=The Guardian |date=6 April 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/apr/05/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-live-updates-zelenskiy-address-un-united-nations-borodyanka-atrocities-bucha?page=with:block-624bd9c28f08fd70369de304#block-624bd9c28f08fd70369de304|access-date=8 April 2022 }}</ref>
On 5 April, Governor Zhyvytsky stated that the bodies of at least three tortured civilians had been found in the Konotop Raion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sumy Oblast Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky has reported that in Konotop district of Sumy Oblast, the Ukrainian military found the bodies of at least three tortured civilians |work=The Guardian |date=6 April 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/apr/05/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-live-updates-zelenskiy-address-un-united-nations-borodyanka-atrocities-bucha?page=with:block-624bd9c28f08fd70369de304#block-624bd9c28f08fd70369de304|access-date=8 April 2022 }}</ref>{{multiple image|caption_align=center|direction=vertical|total_width=250

=== Trostianets ===
{{multiple image|caption_align=center|direction=vertical|total_width=250
| image1 = Російська техніка під Тростянцем 18.03.2022 (5).jpg|caption1=Remnants of a Russian column ambushed by Ukrainian forces on 17 March 2022.
| image1 = Російська техніка під Тростянцем 18.03.2022 (5).jpg|caption1=Remnants of a Russian column ambushed by Ukrainian forces on 17 March 2022.
| image2 = 93rd brigade first days of war 11.jpg|caption2=Trostianets after its recapture by Ukraine on 26 March 2022.
| image2 = |caption2=Trostianets after its recapture by Ukraine on 26 March 2022.
}}
}}
On 1 March, Russia forces [[Battle of Trostianets|captured the city]] of [[Trostianets]] and began a [[military occupation]] of the city.


====Military occupation====
=== Romny Raion ===
On the evening of February 24, the first day of the Russian invasion, two convoys of Russian soldiers coming from the cities of Nedryhailiv and Konotop (east and north of Romny, respectively) made their way in the direction of Romny.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2022 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. ОНЛАЙН |url=https://suspilne.media/210133-voennij-stan-so-vidbuvaetsa-u-sumah-2/? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304133456/https://suspilne.media/210133-voennij-stan-so-vidbuvaetsa-u-sumah-2/ |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=Суспільне &#124; Новини}}</ref> Between February 26 and 27, more Russian vehicles headed towards Romny from [[Krasnopillia, Sumy Oblast|Krasnopillia]], bypassing Sumy. According to the head of [[Romny Raion]], Denis Vashchenko, there were no wounded, killed, or shelling during this time. The second convoy was bombed by Ukrainian forces before it reached Romny.<ref name="Ворожа техніка через Сумщину">{{Cite web |last=Христенко |first=Лілія |date=2022-02-27 |title=Ворожа техніка через Сумщину продовжує курс на Київ. Тривають бої |url=https://suspilne.media/211572-voroza-tehnika-cerez-sumsinu-prodovzue-kurs-na-kiiv-trivaut-boi/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329210335/https://suspilne.media/211572-voroza-tehnika-cerez-sumsinu-prodovzue-kurs-na-kiiv-trivaut-boi/ |archive-date=29 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-05 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref> On February 28, Russian forces attacked the Romny Correctional Colony. Meanwhile that same day, Russian forces crushed a civilian in the village of {{ill|Pohozha Krynytsia|uk|Погожа Криниця}} when he attempted to use his car to block Russian tanks passing through.<ref name="На Сумщині російський танк переїхав">{{Cite web |last=Скрипняк |first=Анна |date=2022-03-01 |title=На Сумщині російський танк переїхав цивільне авто, яке заважало руху колони. Водій загинув |url=https://suspilne.media/212524-na-sumsini-rosijskij-tank-pereihav-civilne-avto-ake-zavazalo-ruhu-koloni-vodij-zaginuv/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305200657/https://suspilne.media/212524-na-sumsini-rosijskij-tank-pereihav-civilne-avto-ake-zavazalo-ruhu-koloni-vodij-zaginuv/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-05 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref>
The Russian military headquarters was established at the [[Trostyanets-Smorodyne railway station|town's main train station]].<ref>{{cite news |date=27 March 2022 |title=Ukraine says it retook captured town near Russian border |work=Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ukraine-says-it-retook-captured-town-near-russian-border/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326194833/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ukraine-says-it-retook-captured-town-near-russian-border/ |archive-date=2022-03-26}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Russians leave behind wreckage, hunger in Ukraine town of Trostyanets |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220330-russians-leave-behind-wreckage-hunger-in-ukraine-town-of-trostyanets |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=France 24 |publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]] |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330200242/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220330-russians-leave-behind-wreckage-hunger-in-ukraine-town-of-trostyanets |url-status=live }}</ref> In mid-March, some Russian troops were replaced with Russian-supported [[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|separatist]] forces.<ref name="barbarity" />


On the first day of March, Russian forces captured the villages of Bilovods'ke and Bobryk, just south of Romny, which had been contested in previous days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Росіяни захопили підприємство на Сумщині, посадили снайперів, вимагають переговорів |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/4/7328060/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430074948/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/4/7328060/ |archive-date=2022-04-30 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Українська правда}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=В Сумской области колонны военной техники РФ пошли на Ромны и Диброву |url=https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-ato/3412147-v-sumskoj-oblasti-kolonny-voennoj-tehniki-rf-posli-na-romny-i-dibrovu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226051022/https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-ato/3412147-v-sumskoj-oblasti-kolonny-voennoj-tehniki-rf-posli-na-romny-i-dibrovu.html |archive-date=2022-02-26 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=www.ukrinform.ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=У Роменському районі військові РФ захопили елеватор Дружба нова |url=https://suspilne.media/212785-vijskovi-rf-zahopili-elevator-pograbuvali-magazin-ta-fermi-situacia-v-romenskomu-rajoni/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305205842/https://suspilne.media/212785-vijskovi-rf-zahopili-elevator-pograbuvali-magazin-ta-fermi-situacia-v-romenskomu-rajoni/ |archive-date=2022-03-05 |access-date=2022-07-26}}</ref> On March 4, after negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, Romny was selected as a humanitarian corridor for civilians fleeing [[Sumy Oblast|Sumy]], [[Kharkiv Oblast|Kharkiv]], and [[Chernihiv Oblast|Chernihiv]] oblasts.<ref name="Без електрики">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-03-04 |title=Без електрики Лебедин та частково Охтирка. В Сумах триває відновлення електропостачання |url=https://suspilne.media/215221-sumcani-dopomagaut-ukrainskim-bijcam-oblastovuvati-blokposti/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308145946/https://suspilne.media/215221-sumcani-dopomagaut-ukrainskim-bijcam-oblastovuvati-blokposti/ |archive-date=8 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-08 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref> That same day, civilians from the village of Spartak attempted to block Russian vehicles passing from Nedryhailiv to Romny. They succeeded in blocking the road, although an ensuing attack by the Russians resulted in one civilian dying.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Юлія Ніколаєва, Катерина Ворона |first=Суспільне |date=2022-04-19 |title="Збирали брата по шматках…" — на Сумщині російські військові розстріляли чоловіка із БТРа |url=https://suspilne.media/230271-zbirali-brata-po-smatkah-na-sumsini-rosijski-vijskovi-rozstrilali-colovika-iz-btra/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610164040/https://suspilne.media/230271-zbirali-brata-po-smatkah-na-sumsini-rosijski-vijskovi-rozstrilali-colovika-iz-btra/ |archive-date=2022-06-10 |accessdate=2022-06-10 |website=Суспільне Новини |language=uk}}</ref> Later that evening on March 4, Russian forces blocked the road from Lypova Dolyna towards Romny and Bilovod'ske, in southern [[Romny Raion]], while the highway between Nedryhailiv and Romny was still under Ukrainian control. During the night between March 4 and 5, Russian soldiers destroyed a poultry farm, killed around 100,000 poultry and causing an estimated one million [[Ukrainian hryvnia|hryvnias]] worth of damage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Юлія Ніколаєва, Анна Скрипняк |first=Суспільне |date=2022-04-20 |title="Наробили багато шкоди" – наслідки пограбування росіянами птахоферми у селі Вільшана на Сумщині |url=https://suspilne.media/230556-narobili-bagato-skodi-naslidki-pograbuvanna-rosianami-ptahofermi-u-seli-vilsana-na-sumsini/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610164038/https://suspilne.media/230556-narobili-bagato-skodi-naslidki-pograbuvanna-rosianami-ptahofermi-u-seli-vilsana-na-sumsini/ |archive-date=2022-06-10 |accessdate=2022-06-10 |website=Суспільне Новини |language=uk}}</ref>
Approximately 800 Russian troops occupied the city.<ref name="barbarity">{{Cite news |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Yermak |first2=Natalia |last3=Hicks |first3=Tyler |date=2022-04-03 |title='This Is True Barbarity': Life and Death Under Russian Occupation |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html |access-date=2022-04-03 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2022-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403171310/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During the occupation, Ukrainian police officers remained in the city incognito, supporting both local civilians and [[Partisan (military)|partisan]] forces operating in the area.<ref name="barbarity" /> Ukrainian forces destroyed a bridge to the south of the city, stalling the Russian advance deeper into Ukraine.<ref name=":1" /> The town's mayor, Yuriy Bova, hid in nearby villages, receiving some criticism for his decision not to stay in town, but continued to coordinate Ukrainian resistance, including shelling of Russian positions.<ref name=":1" /> Reports of executions of civilians by Russian troops began in early March.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=5 April 2022 |title='Barbarians': Russian troops leave grisly mark on town of Trostianets |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405181741/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |url-status=live }}</ref>


On March 5, three out of four hostages who were taken by Russian troops were released, according to Vashchenko. That same day, Russian soldiers standing on the road fired at Ukrainian [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|TDF]] troops at a gas station, leaving one Ukrainian soldier killed and two wounded.<ref name="У Сумах обстріляли цивільне">{{Cite web |last=Стрельцов |first=Ігор |date=2022-02-27 |title=У Сумах обстріляли цивільне авто з дорослими та дітьми — загинула жінка |url=https://suspilne.media/211748-u-sumah-ta-sumskomu-rajoni-jdut-boi-zatrimali-rosijskih-vijskovih/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305144837/https://suspilne.media/211748-u-sumah-ta-sumskomu-rajoni-jdut-boi-zatrimali-rosijskih-vijskovih/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-05 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref> On the evening of March 5, Russian soldiers fired at two cars traveling from Sumy to Romny, in the village of Pustovyitivka. 3 civilians were wounded, and one civilian was killed in the shooting.<ref name="Обстріляна АЗС">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-03-06 |title=Обстріляна АЗС, цивільні машини та підстанція у Ромнах |url=https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305143940/https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-08 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref> Later that evening, in the village of Skripali' in Romny raion, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian column, and killed an unspecified number of soldiers.<ref name="Тиждень другий. Онлайн">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-03-09 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень другий. Онлайн |url=https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305143940/https://suspilne.media/207001-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-drugij-onlajn/ |archive-date=5 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-09 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref> In the evening between March 5 and 6, shots were fired in Pustoviitivka and Romny, with no injuries. The shooting in Romny, however, knocked out electricity for parts of the town.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2022 |title=Обстріляна АЗС, цивільні машини та підстанція у Ромнах |url=https://suspilne.media/214342-romencaninu-maksimu-bilokonu-posmertno-prisvoene-zvanna-geroa-ukraini/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306110022/https://suspilne.media/214342-romencaninu-maksimu-bilokonu-posmertno-prisvoene-zvanna-geroa-ukraini/ |archive-date=6 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-06 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref>
====Ukrainian counterattack====
A Ukrainian counter-offensive beginning on 23 March recaptured the city by 26 March.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pahulych |first=Roman |date=30 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian Forces Recapture Eastern Town Near Russian Border |work=[[Radio Free Europe]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-liberates-border-town-russia/31778438.html |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401132022/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-liberates-border-town-russia/31778438.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="barbarity" /> During the fighting, the town's hospital was shelled, with residents blaming Russian forces.<ref name="barbarity" /> After combat and shelling around the outskirts of the city, Russian troops largely withdrew overnight before the arrival of Ukrainian forces.<ref name="shattered">{{Cite web |last1=Rosa |first1=Andrea |last2=Dana |first2=Felipe |date=2022-03-29 |title=After Russian forces pull back, a shattered town breathes |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-614463bc36092687537939c7538f4360 |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=[[Associated Press]] |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329080532/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-614463bc36092687537939c7538f4360 |url-status=live }}</ref> An [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] report recorded "a dozen" destroyed or damaged tanks and armored vehicles.<ref name=":0" /> The ''New York Times'' reported that food had grown scarce by the time the city was recaptured by Ukraine.<ref name="barbarity">{{Cite news |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Yermak |first2=Natalia |last3=Hicks |first3=Tyler |date=2022-04-03 |title='This Is True Barbarity': Life and Death Under Russian Occupation |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html |access-date=2022-04-03 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2022-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403171310/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


On March 11, Vashchenko reported that Ukrainian forces unblocked the road between Romny and [[Lokhvytsia]], allowing civilians to flee southwards. That morning near Romny, police and Ukrainian TDF discovered and detained 29 Russian soldiers in a field, all of whom claimed to be lost.<ref name="Тиждень третій. Онлайн">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-16 |title=Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень третій. Онлайн |url=https://suspilne.media/215802-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-tretij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311193048/https://suspilne.media/215802-vijskove-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-tretij-onlajn/ |archive-date=11 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-20 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref><ref name="Поліціянти та тероборонівці затримали">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-11 |title=Поліціянти та тероборонівці затримали 29 військових РФ на Сумщині |url=https://suspilne.media/216340-policianti-ta-teroboronivci-zatrimali-29-vijskovih-rf-na-sumsini/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320200445/https://suspilne.media/216340-policianti-ta-teroboronivci-zatrimali-29-vijskovih-rf-na-sumsini/ |archive-date=20 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-20 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=На Сумщині затримали 29 військовослужбовців РФ |url=https://rama.com.ua/na-sumshhini-zatrimali-29-vijskovosluzhbovciv-rf/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313085856/https://rama.com.ua/na-sumshhini-zatrimali-29-vijskovosluzhbovciv-rf/ |archive-date=13 March 2022 |accessdate=20 March 2022}}</ref> The next day on March 12, green corridors were established in Sumy Oblast, where civilians from Sumy, [[Trostianets]], [[Konotop]], [[Lebedyn]], [[Velyka Pysarivka]], and [[Krasnopillia, Sumy Oblast|Krasnopillia]] could flee towards [[Poltava Oblast]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-03-12 |title=На Сумщині запланували нову хвилю евакуації на 12 березня. Як і звідки можна виїхати до Полтави |url=https://suspilne.media/219736-zakupi-u-sumah-so-mozna-pridbati-na-rinkah-mista-v-umovah-vijni/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320202055/https://suspilne.media/219736-zakupi-u-sumah-so-mozna-pridbati-na-rinkah-mista-v-umovah-vijni/ |archive-date=20 March 2022 |accessdate=2022-03-20 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref> Humanitarian corridors restarted again on March 18.<ref name="Тиждень четвертий. Онлайн">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-03-24 |title=Вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. Тиждень четвертий. Онлайн |url=https://suspilne.media/218448-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-cetvertij-onlajn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426220709/https://suspilne.media/218448-vtorgnenna-rosii-v-ukrainu-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-tizden-cetvertij-onlajn/ |archive-date=26 April 2022 |accessdate=2022-04-04 |website=Суспільне. Новини |language=uk}}</ref> The Ukrainian General Staff reported on March 19 that the [[1st Guards Tank Army]] of Russia began to concentrate efforts on surrounding Sumy, while also attempting offensives in Trostianets, [[Pryluky]], and Romny, although these offensives did not succeed.<ref name="Тиждень четвертий. Онлайн" />
On 7 April, [[Dmytro Zhyvytskyi]], governor of Sumy Oblast, said that all Russian troops had left the region, but it was still unsafe due to rigged explosives and other ammunition Russian troops had left behind.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/04/8/7338013/ |title=Sumy region liberated from Russian troops |first=Anastasiya |last=Kalatur |work=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]] |date=8 April 2022 |access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref>

=== Okhtyrka ===
In Okhtyrka, by April 21, only 24,000 of the town's original population of 48,000 were left.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In Ukrainian towns of Sumy, war began before Russian invasion and tension persists {{!}} Ground report |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/in-ukrainie-sumy-war-began-before-russian-invasion-tension-persists-1940246-2022-04-21 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Residents of Trostianets who survived the occupation stated that as soon as the Russian forces got there, they began firing upon [[Okhtyrka]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-18 |title="Werenʼt you scared when you captured Donbas?" After a month of Russian occupation, Trostyanets recovers. Russian troops didnʼt enter Okhtyrka, but people are learning to live here anew — a long report |url=https://babel.ua/en/texts/80098-you-weren-t-scared-when-you-captured-dambas-after-a-month-of-russian-occupation-trostyanets-recovers-russian-troops-did-not-enter-okhtyrka-but-people-are-learning-to-live-here-again-great-report |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=babel.ua |language=en}}</ref> Despite never entering the town, much of Okhtyrka was destroyed in bombing raids carried out by the Russian army.<ref name=":2" />

=== Trostianets ===
[[File:Trostyanets-Smorodyne railway station after the Battle of Trostianets.jpg|thumb|The destroyed railway station "Trostianets-Smorodino"]]

As part of an [[northern Ukraine campaign|offensive towards Kyiv]], [[column (military)|column]]s of tanks from the Russian [[4th Guards Tank Division]] first passed through Trostianets on 24 February, with no real plans of occupying the city.<ref name=NYTTrostianets>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html | title='This is True Barbarity': Life and Death Under Russian Occupation | work=The New York Times | date=3 April 2022 | last1=Gibbons-Neff | first1=Thomas | last2=Yermak | first2=Natalia | last3=Hicks | first3=Tyler }}</ref><ref name=SpiegelTrostianets>{{Cite news |last=Reuter |first=Christoph |date=2022-03-29 |title=(S+) Ukraine: Wie die Stadt Trostjanez nach vier Wochen von den Russen befreit wurde |language=de |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/ukraine-wie-die-stadt-trostjanez-nach-vier-wochen-von-den-russen-befreit-wurde-a-74075128-0bdd-4841-9724-90e47d69ad3f |access-date=2022-03-29 |issn=2195-1349 |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329114530/https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/ukraine-wie-die-stadt-trostjanez-nach-vier-wochen-von-den-russen-befreit-wurde-a-74075128-0bdd-4841-9724-90e47d69ad3f |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=F24Trostianets>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Russians leave behind wreckage, hunger in Ukraine town of Trostyanets |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220330-russians-leave-behind-wreckage-hunger-in-ukraine-town-of-trostyanets |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=France 24 |publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]] |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330200242/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220330-russians-leave-behind-wreckage-hunger-in-ukraine-town-of-trostyanets |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the offensive quickly began to stall due to Ukrainian resistance west and southwest of Trostianets, and the detonation of a bridge south of the city.<ref name=NYTTrostianets/><ref name=F24Trostianets/><ref name=GuardianTrostianets>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=5 April 2022 |title='Barbarians': Russian troops leave grisly mark on town of Trostianets |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405181741/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, Trostianets, which was first envisioned as "little more than a speed bump" in Russian plans to swiftly take Kyiv, was [[military occupation|occupied]] by a garrison of Russian troops on 1 March.<ref name=NYTTrostianets/><ref name=InterfaxTrostianets>{{Cite web |title=Trostyanets captured by aggressor – head of Regional Military Administration |url=https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/805234.html |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308142508/https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/805234.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

About a dozen checkpoints were established in and around the city.<ref name=NYTTrostianets/> The [[Trostyanets-Smorodyne railway station|main train station]] served as the Russian headquarters,<ref name=F24Trostianets/> and the police station and airfield also came under occupation.<ref name=SpiegelTrostianets/> The number of Russian troops occupying Trostianets has been variously estimated between 300 and 800.<ref name=NYTTrostianets/><ref name=SpiegelTrostianets/> Separatist militiamen from [[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]] arrived in the city following a mid-March troop rotation,<ref name=NYTTrostianets/><ref name=F24Trostianets/> and the presence of contingents of [[Buryatia|Buryat]] and [[South Ossetia]]n fighters has also been reported.<ref name=SpiegelTrostianets/> Units of the elite 4th Guards Tank Division, including the 12th and [[13th Guards Tank Regiment]]s, are reported to have been among the occupying forces.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unian.ua/war/na-sumshchini-ukrajinec-ponad-rik-zberigav-na-podvir-ji-trofeyniy-tank-rf-foto-12345555.html |title=На Сумщині українець понад рік зберігав на подвір'ї трофейний танк РФ (фото) |date=2023-07-30 |publisher=УНІАН |lang=uk}}</ref><ref name=SuspilneTrostianets>{{cite web|lang=uk|access-date=2024-05-01|date=2022-03-29|website=[[Suspilne]]|title=П'ятий тиждень повномасштабної війни Росії проти України: що відбувається на Сумщині. Онлайн|url=https://suspilne.media/sumy/220952-patij-tizden-povnomasstabnoi-vijni-rosii-proti-ukraini-so-vidbuvaetsa-na-sumsini-onlajn/}}</ref>

[[File:Cleanup of Trostianets by SESU, 29.03.2022 (5).jpg|thumb|Destruction near the Smorodino locomotive depot]]

During the occupation, Ukrainian police officers remained in the city incognito, supporting both local civilians and [[Partisan (military)|partisan]] forces operating in the area.<ref name=NYTTrostianets/> The town's mayor, Yuriy Bova, hid in nearby villages, receiving some criticism for his decision not to stay in town, but continued to coordinate Ukrainian resistance, including shelling of Russian positions.<ref name=GuardianTrostianets/>

The Russian occupying force allegedly engaged in widespread looting,<ref name=NYTTrostianets/><ref name=SpiegelTrostianets/><ref name=RFERLTrostianets>{{Cite news |last=Pahulych |first=Roman |date=30 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian Forces Recapture Eastern Town Near Russian Border |work=[[Radio Free Europe]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-liberates-border-town-russia/31778438.html |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401132022/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-liberates-border-town-russia/31778438.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'' journalists found evidence of torture and summary executions in the city.<ref name=GuardianTrostianets/> Residents of Trostianets during the occupation stated that people were shot in the streets.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-15 |title=Bodies, land mines and destruction: A Ukrainian region digs out after the Russian occupation |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/bodies-land-mines-destruction-ukraine-region-sumy-russia-occupation/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref> Unless neighbors or other civilians carried in the bodies of the dead, they would be left in the streets.<ref name=":3" /> These included the bodies of dead Russian troops, who were left there following the Russian retreat.<ref name=":3" /> Bova stated that at least 50 civilians were killed under Russian occupation.<ref name=GuardianTrostianets/> According to residents, two civilians were also killed in the neighboring village of {{ill|Bilka, Okhtyrka Raion|uk|Білка (Охтирський район)}}, which the Russians occupied on 2 March.<ref name=GuardianTrostianets/>

Zhyvytskyi stated that Russian troops in Trostianets laid mines everywhere, including the town cemetery.<ref name=":3" /> After the Russian withdrawal, seven civilians were killed and at least two wounded due to traps laid by Russian soldiers across the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Five children killed by Russian mines and tripwires in Trostianets |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3459963-five-children-killed-by-russian-mines-and-tripwires-in-trostianets.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=17 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

====Ukrainian counterattack====
A Ukrainian counteroffensive recaptured the city on 26 March.<ref name=RFERLTrostianets/><ref name=NYTTrostianets/> During the fighting, the town's hospital was shelled, with residents blaming Russian forces.<ref name=NYTTrostianets/> After combat and shelling around the outskirts of the city, Russian troops largely withdrew overnight before the arrival of Ukrainian forces.<ref name="shattered">{{Cite web |last1=Rosa |first1=Andrea |last2=Dana |first2=Felipe |date=2022-03-29 |title=After Russian forces pull back, a shattered town breathes |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-614463bc36092687537939c7538f4360 |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=[[Associated Press]] |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329080532/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-614463bc36092687537939c7538f4360 |url-status=live }}</ref> An [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] report recorded "a dozen" destroyed or damaged tanks and armored vehicles.<ref name=F24Trostianets/> The ''New York Times'' reported that food had grown scarce by the time the city was recaptured by Ukraine.<ref name=NYTTrostianets/>


== Control of cities ==
== Control of cities ==
Line 47: Line 62:
== See also ==
== See also ==


* [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
* [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
* [[Outline of the Russo-Ukrainian War]]
* [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine]]
* [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine]]
** [[Russian occupation of Crimea]]
** [[Russian occupation of Crimea]]
** [[Russian occupation of Chernihiv Oblast]]
** [[Russian occupation of Chernihiv Oblast]]
** [[Russian occupation of Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava oblasts|Russian occupation of Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava Oblasts]]
** [[Russian occupation of Donetsk Oblast]]
** [[Russian occupation of Donetsk Oblast]]
** [[Russian occupation of Kharkiv Oblast]]
** [[Russian occupation of Kharkiv Oblast]]
Line 65: Line 76:
* [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]]
* [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]]
* [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts]]
* [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts]]

* [[2022 protests in Russian-occupied Ukraine]]
== Further reading ==
* [[Ukrainian resistance during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
*[https://babel.ua/en/texts/80098-you-weren-t-scared-when-you-captured-dambas-after-a-month-of-russian-occupation-trostyanets-recovers-russian-troops-did-not-enter-okhtyrka-but-people-are-learning-to-live-here-again-great-report "Weren't you scared when you captured Donbas?" After a month of Russian occupation, Trostyanets recovers - Babel]
* [[War crimes in the Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
* [[Russian war crimes]]
* [[War crime]]


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:March 2022 events in Ukraine]]
[[Category:March 2022 events in Ukraine]]
[[Category:April 2022 events in Ukraine]]
[[Category:April 2022 events in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Northeastern Ukraine campaign|Sumy]]
[[Category:Northern Ukraine campaign|*Sumy]]
[[Category:History of Sumy Oblast]]
[[Category:Sumy Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
[[Category:Konotop]]
[[Category:Konotop]]
[[Category:Torture in the Russian invasion of Ukraine]]

Latest revision as of 22:52, 30 August 2024

Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast
Part of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Sumy Oblast:

  Ukrainian territory never occupied
  Ukrainian territory liberated from occupation

Native name Російська окупація Сумської області
Российская оккупация Сумской области
Date24 February 2022–7 April 2022
(1 month and 2 weeks)
StandortSumy Oblast, Ukraine

The Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast was a military occupation that began on 24 February 2022, when Russian forces invaded Ukraine and began capturing parts of the Sumy Oblast. The capital of the Oblast, Sumy, was never captured by Russian forces, however, other cites were captured including Konotop and Trostianets. On 7 April, Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, governor of Sumy Oblast, said that all Russian troops had left the region, but it was still unsafe due to rigged explosives and other ammunition Russian troops had left behind.[1]

Occupation

[edit]

Konotop

[edit]

On 25 February, Russian forces captured the city of Konotop, 90 kilometres (56 mi) from the Russian border.[2][3]

On 2 March, Artem Seminikhin, the mayor of Konotop, stated that Russian forces in the city warned him that they would shell the city if the residents resisted them. Russian vehicles, deployed outside the City Council, were surrounded by locals.[4] Seminikhin asked the residents of the city whether they wanted to fight or surrender, whereupon the residents "overwhelmingly" refused to surrender.[5][6] Later in the day, city authorities negotiated with Russian forces, with talks lasting 12 minutes. An agreement was reached under which Russian forces accepted not to change the city's government, deploy troops in the city, obstruct transportation, or remove the Ukrainian flag. In return, the city officials agreed that the residents would not attack Russian forces.[7]

On 7 March, the Ukrainian General Staff assessed that Russian forces at Konotop had taken 50 percent losses and were forced to regroup and resupply.[8] On 15 March, Ukrainian and Russian forces agreed to open a humanitarian corridor to evacuate citizens from Konotop.[9] On 28 March, Russian forces destroyed a bridge in Konotop.[10]

On 2 April, it was reported that the Russian army maintained a corridor in Konotop Raion through which equipment from Kyiv and Chernihiv could be withdrawn to Russia.[11] On 3 April, Ukrainian MP Olexander Kachura [uk] stated on Twitter that all Russian forces had left Konotop Raion.[12] On 4 April 2022 Sumy Oblast's Governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyi stated that Russian troops no longer occupied any towns or villages in Sumy Oblast and had mostly withdrawn, while Ukrainian troops were working to push out the remaining units.[13]

On 5 April, Governor Zhyvytsky stated that the bodies of at least three tortured civilians had been found in the Konotop Raion.[14]

Remnants of a Russian column ambushed by Ukrainian forces on 17 March 2022.

Romny Raion

[edit]

On the evening of February 24, the first day of the Russian invasion, two convoys of Russian soldiers coming from the cities of Nedryhailiv and Konotop (east and north of Romny, respectively) made their way in the direction of Romny.[15] Between February 26 and 27, more Russian vehicles headed towards Romny from Krasnopillia, bypassing Sumy. According to the head of Romny Raion, Denis Vashchenko, there were no wounded, killed, or shelling during this time. The second convoy was bombed by Ukrainian forces before it reached Romny.[16] On February 28, Russian forces attacked the Romny Correctional Colony. Meanwhile that same day, Russian forces crushed a civilian in the village of Pohozha Krynytsia [uk] when he attempted to use his car to block Russian tanks passing through.[17]

On the first day of March, Russian forces captured the villages of Bilovods'ke and Bobryk, just south of Romny, which had been contested in previous days.[18][19][20] On March 4, after negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, Romny was selected as a humanitarian corridor for civilians fleeing Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv oblasts.[21] That same day, civilians from the village of Spartak attempted to block Russian vehicles passing from Nedryhailiv to Romny. They succeeded in blocking the road, although an ensuing attack by the Russians resulted in one civilian dying.[22] Later that evening on March 4, Russian forces blocked the road from Lypova Dolyna towards Romny and Bilovod'ske, in southern Romny Raion, while the highway between Nedryhailiv and Romny was still under Ukrainian control. During the night between March 4 and 5, Russian soldiers destroyed a poultry farm, killed around 100,000 poultry and causing an estimated one million hryvnias worth of damage.[23]

On March 5, three out of four hostages who were taken by Russian troops were released, according to Vashchenko. That same day, Russian soldiers standing on the road fired at Ukrainian TDF troops at a gas station, leaving one Ukrainian soldier killed and two wounded.[24] On the evening of March 5, Russian soldiers fired at two cars traveling from Sumy to Romny, in the village of Pustovyitivka. 3 civilians were wounded, and one civilian was killed in the shooting.[25] Later that evening, in the village of Skripali' in Romny raion, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian column, and killed an unspecified number of soldiers.[26] In the evening between March 5 and 6, shots were fired in Pustoviitivka and Romny, with no injuries. The shooting in Romny, however, knocked out electricity for parts of the town.[27]

On March 11, Vashchenko reported that Ukrainian forces unblocked the road between Romny and Lokhvytsia, allowing civilians to flee southwards. That morning near Romny, police and Ukrainian TDF discovered and detained 29 Russian soldiers in a field, all of whom claimed to be lost.[28][29][30] The next day on March 12, green corridors were established in Sumy Oblast, where civilians from Sumy, Trostianets, Konotop, Lebedyn, Velyka Pysarivka, and Krasnopillia could flee towards Poltava Oblast.[31] Humanitarian corridors restarted again on March 18.[32] The Ukrainian General Staff reported on March 19 that the 1st Guards Tank Army of Russia began to concentrate efforts on surrounding Sumy, while also attempting offensives in Trostianets, Pryluky, and Romny, although these offensives did not succeed.[32]

Okhtyrka

[edit]

In Okhtyrka, by April 21, only 24,000 of the town's original population of 48,000 were left.[33] Residents of Trostianets who survived the occupation stated that as soon as the Russian forces got there, they began firing upon Okhtyrka.[34] Despite never entering the town, much of Okhtyrka was destroyed in bombing raids carried out by the Russian army.[34]

Trostianets

[edit]
The destroyed railway station "Trostianets-Smorodino"

As part of an offensive towards Kyiv, columns of tanks from the Russian 4th Guards Tank Division first passed through Trostianets on 24 February, with no real plans of occupying the city.[35][36][37] However, the offensive quickly began to stall due to Ukrainian resistance west and southwest of Trostianets, and the detonation of a bridge south of the city.[35][37][38] As a result, Trostianets, which was first envisioned as "little more than a speed bump" in Russian plans to swiftly take Kyiv, was occupied by a garrison of Russian troops on 1 March.[35][39]

About a dozen checkpoints were established in and around the city.[35] The main train station served as the Russian headquarters,[37] and the police station and airfield also came under occupation.[36] The number of Russian troops occupying Trostianets has been variously estimated between 300 and 800.[35][36] Separatist militiamen from Donetsk and Luhansk arrived in the city following a mid-March troop rotation,[35][37] and the presence of contingents of Buryat and South Ossetian fighters has also been reported.[36] Units of the elite 4th Guards Tank Division, including the 12th and 13th Guards Tank Regiments, are reported to have been among the occupying forces.[40][41]

Destruction near the Smorodino locomotive depot

During the occupation, Ukrainian police officers remained in the city incognito, supporting both local civilians and partisan forces operating in the area.[35] The town's mayor, Yuriy Bova, hid in nearby villages, receiving some criticism for his decision not to stay in town, but continued to coordinate Ukrainian resistance, including shelling of Russian positions.[38]

The Russian occupying force allegedly engaged in widespread looting,[35][36][42] and Guardian journalists found evidence of torture and summary executions in the city.[38] Residents of Trostianets during the occupation stated that people were shot in the streets.[43] Unless neighbors or other civilians carried in the bodies of the dead, they would be left in the streets.[43] These included the bodies of dead Russian troops, who were left there following the Russian retreat.[43] Bova stated that at least 50 civilians were killed under Russian occupation.[38] According to residents, two civilians were also killed in the neighboring village of Bilka, Okhtyrka Raion [uk], which the Russians occupied on 2 March.[38]

Zhyvytskyi stated that Russian troops in Trostianets laid mines everywhere, including the town cemetery.[43] After the Russian withdrawal, seven civilians were killed and at least two wounded due to traps laid by Russian soldiers across the town.[44]

Ukrainian counterattack

[edit]

A Ukrainian counteroffensive recaptured the city on 26 March.[42][35] During the fighting, the town's hospital was shelled, with residents blaming Russian forces.[35] After combat and shelling around the outskirts of the city, Russian troops largely withdrew overnight before the arrival of Ukrainian forces.[45] An AFP report recorded "a dozen" destroyed or damaged tanks and armored vehicles.[37] The New York Times reported that food had grown scarce by the time the city was recaptured by Ukraine.[35]

Control of cities

[edit]
Name Pop. Raion Held by As of More information
Buryn 8,359 Konotop  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022 Captured by  Russland 24 February 2022.[47][48]
Recaptured by  Ukraine 4 April 2022.
Hlukhiv 32,248 Hlukhiv  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022 Captured by  Russland 25 February 2022.
Recaptured by  Ukraine 4 April 2022.
Konotop 84,787 Konotop  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022 Captured by  Russland 25 February 2022.
Recaptured by  Ukraine 4 April 2022.
Krolevets 22,437 Konotop  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022
Lebedyn 24,238 Lebedyn  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022 See Battle of Lebedyn
Okhtyrka 47,216 Okhtyrka  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022 See Battle of Okhtyrka
Putyvl 15,100 Konotop  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022 Captured by  Russland 27 February 2022.
Recaptured by  Ukraine 2 April 2022.
Romny 38,305 Romny  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022
Ryzhivka 854 Sumy Gray zone[49][50] 12 Jun 2024 Uncontrolled before 9 June 2024.[50]
Raided by  Russland on 9 June 2024.[50]
Uncontrolled since 10 June 2024.[49]
Shostka 73,197 Shostka  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022
Sumy 259,660 Sumy  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022 See Battle of Sumy, Sumykhimprom ammonia leak, October missile strikes
Trostianets 19,797 Okhtyrka  Ukraine[46] 6 Apr 2022 Captured by  Russland 1 March 2022.
Recaptured by  Ukraine 26 March 2022.

See also

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kalatur, Anastasiya (8 April 2022). "Sumy region liberated from Russian troops". Ukrayinska Pravda. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  2. ^ Ward, Alexander (25 February 2022). "'Almost not possible' for Ukraine to win without West's help, Ukraine official says". Politico. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Ukraine war news from February 25: Kyiv suburbs breached, Russian forces face resistance, Zelensky warns Russia will 'storm' capital". Financial Times. 26 February 2022. ISSN 0307-1766. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  4. ^ "As Russian invaders demand that Konotop surrender, mayor explicitly defies threats". www.ukrinform.net. 2 March 2022. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  5. ^ Valeria Polischuk. "Мер Конотопа: місту поставили ультиматум – за опір накриють артилерією". RBC Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  6. ^ Khavin, Dmitriy; Botti, David; Tiefenthäler, Ainara (2 March 2022). "Mayor in Ukraine asks his city's residents whether they wish to fight or surrender". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  7. ^ Natalia Gurkovskaya. "Бої на Сумщині – влада Конотопа провела переговори з окупантами після ультиматуму". RBC Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  8. ^ "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 7". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  9. ^ "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 15". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 4 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  10. ^ "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 28". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 4 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  11. ^ "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, April 2". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  12. ^ @SputnikATO (3 April 2022). "Конотопский район освобожден от российских оккупантов. Об этом сообщил нардеп Александр Качура. Еще вчера глава Сумской областной военной администрации Дмитрий Живицкий заявлял, что армия РФ находится в районе Белополья и Конотопа" (Tweet) (in Russian) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Russian troops no longer hold any settlements in Ukraine's Sumy region, says governor, National Post (4 April 2022)
  14. ^ "Sumy Oblast Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky has reported that in Konotop district of Sumy Oblast, the Ukrainian military found the bodies of at least three tortured civilians". The Guardian. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Військове вторгнення Росії в Україну: що відбувається на Сумщині. ОНЛАЙН". Суспільне | Новини. March 3, 2022. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  16. ^ Христенко, Лілія (2022-02-27). "Ворожа техніка через Сумщину продовжує курс на Київ. Тривають бої". Суспільне. Новини (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  17. ^ Скрипняк, Анна (2022-03-01). "На Сумщині російський танк переїхав цивільне авто, яке заважало руху колони. Водій загинув". Суспільне. Новини (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  18. ^ "Росіяни захопили підприємство на Сумщині, посадили снайперів, вимагають переговорів". Українська правда. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  19. ^ "В Сумской области колонны военной техники РФ пошли на Ромны и Диброву". www.ukrinform.ru. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  20. ^ "У Роменському районі військові РФ захопили елеватор Дружба нова". Archived from the original on 2022-03-05. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  21. ^ "Без електрики Лебедин та частково Охтирка. В Сумах триває відновлення електропостачання". Суспільне. Новини (in Ukrainian). 2022-03-04. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
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