Putin orders military to continue building Ukraine 'security zone' in 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed his military commanders to persist with efforts to establish a "security zone" along the border with Ukraine throughout the coming year. The order followed a briefing where commanders claimed territorial advances and the expansion of this buffer area.
Military reports on claimed gains and zone dimensions
During Monday's briefing, General Yevgeny Nikiforov, head of the "North" grouping, reported that the security zone in Ukraine's Sumy region now extends over 16 kilometers deep and 60 kilometers wide. He claimed Russian forces are within 20 kilometers of the city of Sumy itself. Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov also announced the capture of several settlements and advances toward Zaporizhzhia.
Putin emphasizes border security as a key objective
In response to the reports, Putin underscored the strategic importance of the task, stating, "This is a very important task, as it ensures the security of Russia's border regions. This work must certainly continue in 2026." The concept of a buffer zone was first announced by Putin in May following fighting in Russia's Kursk region.
Unverified claims within the broader conflict
The new Russian claims, which include establishing a zone in the Dnipropetrovsk region, have not been independently verified and have not received immediate comment from Ukrainian authorities. The developments are part of the broader, nearly four-year-long conflict that continues to shape regional security dynamics in Eastern Europe.
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