Ukrainian forces are on the verge of losing their stronghold in Russia’s Kursk region. According to official statements from Moscow and military bloggers on both sides, Kyiv’s troops have begun retreating, ceding ground to advancing Russian forces.
Ukraine’s Offensive and Its Consequences
On August 6 last year, Ukraine carried out one of the most unexpected maneuvers of the war—crossing the border and capturing a portion of Russian territory in the Kursk region. This success served as a significant morale boost for Ukrainians and a potential bargaining chip in future negotiations. However, holding the position for seven months has become increasingly difficult.
This week, the situation deteriorated sharply. Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported the capture of five more villages, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that “the dynamics are positive.”
According to Reuters, videos published by Russian bloggers and state media confirm the presence of Russian troops with the tricolor flag on the central square of Sudzha, a strategically important town located on a highway previously used by Ukraine for supplying its forces.
The Ukrainian portal Deep State, which tracks battlefield developments, updated its map to show that Kyiv no longer controls Sudzha. However, it reported that fighting is still ongoing on the outskirts of the town.
Differing Assessments of the Situation
A Ukrainian military spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. However, Ukraine’s top commander previously denied that his troops were being encircled, stating instead that they were repositioning into more advantageous defensive positions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian military blogger Skadovskyi Defender wrote on Telegram:
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine are leaving Kursk. There will be no Ukrainian soldiers there by Friday.”
Nevertheless, according to the same source, Kyiv continues to launch heavy strikes on Sudzha.
The governor of the Kursk region reported that four civilian employees of a feed mill were killed northeast of Sudzha due to Ukrainian shelling.
Due to reporting restrictions, Reuters could not verify the claims made by either side.
Expert Opinions
Independent Russian analyst Ruslan Leviev believes that the Ukrainian incursion is coming to an end. In an interview with Dozhd TV, he stated:
“Perhaps this story will end today. Perhaps they will try to hold on to the border villages for a couple more days. But overall, the story of the Kursk bridgehead is coming to an end, and Ukrainian troops are leaving.”
Thus, despite its initial success, Ukraine is now facing increased Russian pressure and is being forced to retreat. Whether this marks a turning point in the war remains to be seen.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Reuters. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
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