Ukrainian pullback: Russian forces seize Sudzha control

As reported by Reuters, since August 2024, Ukraine has been conducting a military operation in the Kursk region in western Russia. According to Ruslan Leviev, head of the analytical project Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), Ukrainian forces are systematically withdrawing from this region.

Leviev, quoted by the Russian independent television channel Dozhd, emphasizes that Russian troops are taking control of the city of Sudzha practically without a fight. He notes that Russian forces appeared on the eastern outskirts of Sudzha and are now on the opposite ends of the city.

In fact, it can already be stated that the entire city of Sudzha has come under the control of Russian forces, assessed Leviev, indicating the systematic withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region.

The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its analysis confirms that Russian troops are making advances in the Kursk region and have likely begun an attack on Sudzha. Meanwhile, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, assures that Ukrainian forces are not at risk of encirclement in the Kursk region. He emphasizes that the Russians, supported by infantry from North Korea, are suffering significant losses. Syrskyi states that the situation on the border of the Sumy and Kursk regions is under his troops' control.

I made a decision to reinforce our group with the necessary forces and means, in particular electronic warfare and an unmanned component, Syrskyi informed, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

ISW suggests that the suspension of U.S. intelligence support to Ukraine may have contributed to the success of Russian forces in the Kursk region. However, after talks between the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia, full intelligence support from the United States to Kyiv was reportedly restored, as reported by Reuters.