Sumy Oblast

Sumy Oblast is an administrative region in northeastern Ukraine that borders Russia and covers plains crossed by smaller waterways. The territory lies mostly on gently rolling terrain marked by farmland and patches of woodland.

The region was formed in 1939 by merging several districts from the Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Poltava administrative areas. This reorganization brought together rural districts into a single administrative unit as part of Soviet territorial reforms.

The region maintains a population of over one million residents, with ethnic Ukrainians representing 88.8 percent and Russians forming 9.4 percent of inhabitants.

The area is accessible through a network of highways and rail lines that connect the larger towns. Travelers find accommodation and basic services in urban centers, while rural areas offer less infrastructure.

The town of Shostka was home to the Svema plant, one of the largest producers of film stock in the Soviet Union. The region also holds over 160 protected nature areas that preserve different landscapes and habitats.

Location: Ukraine

Inception: January 10, 1939

Capital city: Sumy

Elevation above the sea: 246 m

Reference: СУМ

Shares border with: Chernihiv Oblast, Poltava Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast, Belgorod Oblast, Kursk Oblast, Bryansk Oblast

Phone: +3800542782785

Email: mail@sm.gov.ua

Website: http://sm.gov.ua

GPS coordinates: 51.00000,34.00000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:11