Gerasimov says Putin has ordered expansion of Ukraine “buffer zone” in 2026

“The Daily Baku” reports, that Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov stated that the planned expansion would cover areas of Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions bordering Russia. Speaking to RIA, he said he had recently inspected the so-called “North” military grouping operating in the area.

This force, established in early 2024, has been deployed in northeastern Ukraine with the aim of pushing Ukrainian troops away from the border and establishing a wider buffer zone to enable further operations.

Gerasimov’s comments come shortly after Russia pledged retaliation over what it alleged—without providing evidence—was an attempted attack on President Putin’s residence. Ukraine denied the claim, saying it was intended to undermine potential peace negotiations as the conflict approaches its fourth year.

Kyiv did not immediately respond to Gerasimov’s statements.

Putin has repeatedly framed the buffer zone concept as a defensive measure, arguing it is necessary to move Ukrainian forces and weapons farther from Russian territory. He has cited repeated shelling and drone strikes on border regions such as Belgorod and Kursk.

Ukraine has dismissed the buffer zone proposal, saying Moscow is using it as a pretext to justify deeper military advances into Ukrainian territory. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has described Russia’s intentions regarding Sumy and Kharkiv as “insane” and has vowed that Ukrainian forces will resist and defend the regions.