KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian forces have stopped Russian troops advancing in the northeastern Sumy region and are now battling along the border to regain control, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. In remarks released for publication by his office on Saturday,

Seizing complete control of the region − nearly one-third of which remains under Ukrainian control − has been a primary goal for the Kremlin. The arrival of summer has made it easier for Russian forces to advance.

Russian forces are advancing in the northern Ukrainian region of Sumy, bringing the regional capital within range of their drones and artillery, according to Ukrainian officials and analysts.