In the northeastern region of Ukraine, farmers are grappling with the harsh realities of an ongoing conflict that has brought destruction to their doorstep. The Sumy Oblast, an area rich in agricultural heritage and bordering Russia's Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk Oblasts, has become a frontline in the war between the two nations.
Yurii Oliynyk, a local farmer and council member, continues his daily routine of milking cows despite the proximity to recent military activities. The region, known for its dairy farming and grain production, has endured months of missile attacks, drone strikes, and cluster munitions from Russian territory. These assaults have resulted in civilian casualties, livestock injuries, and significant property damage.
A recent development has brought a temporary respite to the beleaguered farmers. Approximately one year ago, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise advance into Russia's Kursk region, pushing Russian artillery beyond its effective range. Oliynyk noted the subsequent quiet, stating, "It's quiet now... Until we push them further away ... our territory won't be safe."
The Sumy region, with its population of about one million, has a long history dating back to the Neolithic period. Its capital, Sumy, founded in the mid-17th century as a Cossack fortress, was under siege for over a month in 2022 during the initial phases of the Russian invasion.
While some farmers like Oliynyk are determined to stay, others have been forced to evacuate due to the intensity of the attacks. Yurii Malovanyi, another local farmer, had his property struck twice by cluster bombs on the day of the Ukrainian incursion. The attack resulted in significant casualties among his cattle and extensive damage to his farm infrastructure.
"Everything was destroyed. I restored everything just a month ago."
The use of cluster munitions, banned by over 100 countries but not by Russia or Ukraine, has left lasting scars on the landscape and livelihoods of Sumy's farmers.
The scale of evacuation in the region is substantial. According to governor Volodymyr Artiukh, more than 3,000 people fled border areas in the Sumy region in the week following the Ukrainian advance. This exodus represents a significant portion of the local population, impacting the region's agricultural output and community structure.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine's President, highlighted the intensity of the conflict in a statement made about a year ago. He reported that Russia had launched nearly 2,000 strikes on the Sumy region from Kursk during the summer of 2023 alone, underscoring the relentless nature of the attacks.
As the conflict continues to evolve, the farmers of Sumy Oblast face an uncertain future. Their resilience in the face of adversity reflects the broader struggle of Ukraine's agricultural sector, a crucial component of the country's economy and cultural identity. The situation in Sumy serves as a microcosm of the wider impact of the war on Ukraine's rural communities and food security.