Ukrainian military intelligence has claimed a devastating blow to Russian forces in Sumy Oblast, saying its special forces killed over 330 Russian troops and wiped out more than eight enemy companies during a fierce battle. The report, published by Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) on August 5, said elite Tymur Special Unit troops repelled a Russian push in the north-east, releasing dramatic footage showing close-range fighting, drone strikes, and artillery pounding Russian positions.
HUR which shared footage appearing to show dead Russian soldiers and destroyed equipment, said: “Total Russian losses: at least 334 killed, more than 550 wounded.” The exact location and timing of the clash were not disclosed.
Russian forces pushed into Sumy Oblast earlier this year after reclaiming most of Russia’s neighbouring Kursk Oblast.
Moscow has claimed its goal is to build a “buffer zone” along the northeastern border—though Ukraine says its forces are now turning the tide.
According to HUR, Tymur Special Unit fighters infiltrated deep behind enemy lines, dismantling Russian positions and severing their supply chains for food and ammunition.
Ukrainian intelligence said intercepted Russian radio chatter showed soldiers refusing to attack the Ukrainian unit, citing “fabricated reasons”.
While the Kyiv Independent could not verify the full extent of the claims, Ukrainian officials say Russian losses have increased sharply since June, when Moscow stepped up its summer offensive in Sumy Oblast.
Still, Ukraine says it has halted that advance—and even regained ground.
On July 27, the Ukrainian military confirmed the recapture of the village of Kindrativka, days after retaking the nearby border settlement of Andriivka.
Russia still controls around a dozen villages in the region, but President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces are “gradually pushing the Russian forces out.”
A spokesman for the Ukrainian General Staff said: “In the North-Slobozhansk and Kursk directions, Ukrainian defenders repelled 13 Russian attacks.
“The enemy carried out 18 air strikes, dropped a total of 35 guided aerial bombs, and carried out 353 artillery attacks, including 16 from multiple rocket launcher systems.”
Separately, Russian media outlet SHOT claimed residents of the border region of Bryansk residents had reported “multiple explosions in the sky and active air defence”.
It added: “As locals told SHOT, the massive attack on the city began around 5am, more than 10 powerful explosions were already heard, and several drones were shot down.
“Eyewitnesses report a column of thick black smoke at the site of the UAV wreckage in one of the Bryansk districts, and residents of other districts of the region also report the sounds of drones flying overhead and explosions.”
SHOT added: “There has been no official information about the consequences of the attack or the number of casualties yet.”