Rapid counteroffensive_ Defense line held by elite Russian _marines_ captured in Sumy

Ukrainian troops have liberated a fortified line in the northern Sumy sector from elite Russian naval infantry, capturing prisoners and forcing the remaining Russian troops to retreat in a rapid counteroffensive, Kyiv Post reported on Wednesday. Forces from Ukraine’s 225th Assault Regiment launched a coordinated attack from Kindrativka and Andriivka villages, using artillery, mortars, drones, and mechanized infantry to break through Russian defenses held by the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade. Videos released by both the regiment and Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the assault. A special assault group, Storm Group Morok, led the offensive and captured the villages of Novokonstantynkivka and Konstantynivka on Sunday and Monday, pushing reconnaissance patrols to the Russian border north of Konstantynivka. However, Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Wednesday that it had defeated two Ukrainian mechanized brigades and one assault infantry brigade in the Sumy-Andriivka area - a statement Kyiv Post could not verify, even from pro-Russian military bloggers. Russian state-run media outlet RIA Novosti reported that Ukraine’s 225th Brigade was involved in the attack but claimed the assault had been completely repelled. However, no evidence was provided to support this assertion. Drone footage shared by the 225th Regiment and geolocated to the Sumy region contradicted the Russian narrative, showing Russian troops fleeing through the woods under mortar fire and attempting to swim across a river while under drone attack. According to the regiment, the fleeing troops were Russian marines. Ukrainian social media accounts linked to the unit celebrated the success, highlighting the capture of Russian positions and prisoners, while reporting few Ukrainian losses. DeepState confirmed on Wednesday that Russian troops remained in both Andriivka and Konstantynivka, but Ukrainian forces controlled the surrounding open ground and were threatening to isolate Russian positions. Ukraine’s General f on Wednesday confirmed gains in northern Sumy sector and ongoing combat in the area. The General Staff also released an interview with a captured Russian marine from the 810th Brigade, who said that his unit had suffered 80% casualties from sustained drone and artillery attacks before surrendering when Ukrainian forces overran their position. Earlier this year, Russia launched a major offensive into northern Sumy. The Sumy counterattack comes amid a larger and more decisive Ukrainian success in the eastern Pokrovsk sector.