Ukrainian forces retreat from Kursk as Russian grip tightens
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have withdrawn from Sudzha in the Kursk region, a city that has now been taken by the Russians. Videos are appearing online depicting the situation in this town of 5,000. The Russians have created a spectacle, exploiting an ill resident.
The Interfax-Ukraine agency confirmed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have withdrawn from the Russian town of Sudzha in the Kursk region. The General Staff has declared that fighting with the Russians in these areas is ongoing. However, everything indicates that this marks the end of the Ukrainian mission, which had been ongoing since August 6, 2024.
One of the mission's goals was to draw Russia's attention to this area to slow down the enemy's offensive in Donbas slightly. A fragment of Russian territory was also intended to be a bargaining chip in negotiations with Vladimir Putin. Today, it is known that the Russian pressure was so intense that a gradual retreat of Ukrainian forces to their own territory became necessary. Driving Ukrainians out of the Kursk region has been one of Vladimir Putin's urgent priorities in recent months.
War in Ukraine: Russians entered Sudzha, recordings emerge
The first recordings from the Russian-reclaimed Sudzha are appearing online. In one of them, soldiers are mocking an elderly, ill man. They placed him on a wheelbarrow with a rifle beside him. It is clear that the man does not feel confident in this situation.
The Russians are openly speaking about shooting in a manner that threatens the man. Internet users have pointed out that such humiliation of the civilian population by Putin's troops is nothing new. It is unknown what happened to the man later. However, it is certain that the population of Sudzha cannot feel safe with the return of Russian troops.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces currently denies reports that the army is surrounded in the Kursk region. However, it seems only a matter of days before the entire area is back under Kremlin control. Experts are already contemplating what, from Kyiv's perspective, was the objective of the Kursk operation.
