The Ukrainian DeepState monitoring group reported that parts of Ukraine's Sumy region near the village of Novenke had become a grey zone due to Russian attacks on the flanks of Ukrainian forces holding a foothold in Russia's adjacent Kursk region, Kyiv Independent reported Feb. 28. Ukrainian state authorities confirmed that Russian attacks in the sector had intensified starting on Feb. 25.

On Feb. 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian forces had crossed into Ukraine's Sumy region. On Feb. 5, Zelesnky said that Ukrainian forces' presence could be an "important part" of the negotiation process, and on Feb. 11 suggested swapping the Kursk territory for Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. Russian forces have already retaken 60% of the territory Ukrainian forces seized in the region.