Russian forces have pursued limited offensive operations and infiltration missions in northern Sumy Oblast through September 2026 to establish a buffer zone along the border, yet assessments show no confirmed major advances toward Sumy city itself despite Russian Ministry of Defense claims. Ukrainian units have repelled attacks near settlements including Bachivsk and Hirky, conducted counterstrikes on Russian positions, and maintained control amid ongoing artillery and glide bomb strikes on frontline areas. Russian efforts remain constrained by Ukrainian defenses, supply issues, and competing priorities on other fronts, with recent reports indicating stalled progress near rivers and disputed settlements. Scheduled Ukrainian strikes on Russian logistics and any shifts in Russian force allocations could influence the pace of operations in the coming weeks.