Enemy shelling of Ukraine’s northern border tripled in June

"Russia has been taking such actions every day since April of last year when the enemy was first pushed back in the direction of Chernihiv and Sumy regions, then part of Kharkiv region was de-occupied. Recently, the intensity of enemy shelling has been increasing. For example, in June, the intensity of shelling tripled compared to May. Since the beginning of this year, Chernihiv region, Sumy region, and Kharkiv region have been hit by the enemy more than 1,000 times," Andriy Demchenko, the spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, told a briefing at the Ukraine Media Center–Ukrinform.

According to him, the situation on the northern border is tense due to constant shelling by the aggressor.

As noted, the majority of strikes account for Sumy and Kharkiv regions. In addition, the enemy actively uses UAVs to drop explosive objects and carry out reconnaissance. According to Demchenko, border guards shot down four enemy drones last day.

As for the situation on the border with Belarus, the spokesman noted, no group has yet been identified in the territory of the neighboring republic which could carry out a repeated invasion of Ukraine. Russia now uses Belarus as a training ground for its units.

"The number of Russian troops stationed in the territory of Belarus has decreased. Until recently, we recorded up to 2,000 service members, but then there was rotation and almost all Russian troops were withdrawn from the territory of Belarus," Demchenko said.

According to him, Russian mercenaries from private military companies have not been brought to the territory of Belarus either.

In addition, recently there have been no recorded provocations on the border with Belarus.

Demchenko informed that the state border of Ukraine is being reinforced, including with the construction of engineering and fortification structures, the arrangement of anti-transport and anti-tank ditches, embankments, barriers, in particular minefields, etc.

As reported by Ukrinform, 16 strikes on the border territories of Chernihiv and Sumy regions were recorded during the day.