"These are small assault units, composed of a few people. They try to penetrate our territory, accumulate forces and advance further into Ukraine, probably to cut off logistical routes," State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on national television.

Russian forces are attempting to create an active fighting zone in Ukraine's northeastern region of Sumy, across the border from Russia's Kursk region, Ukraine's border guard spokesman said on Monday.

This follows earlier reports about Russian attempts to encircle Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast - by creating a foothold in Sumy Oblast. Read also: Ukrainian forces advance near Toretsk and Pokrovsk as Russia attacks on six fronts - ISW “We observe that the enemy is attempting to create an active combat zone within Ukraine’s territory and