Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that Ukrainian forces have successfully captured the Russian town of Sudzha, located 105 kilometers (65 miles) southwest of Kursk. This statement marks the first official confirmation from Kyiv of their control over the town since the launch of a cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk region more than a week ago.
According to Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukrainian troops have made substantial gains since initiating their surprise assault. They have advanced 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) through Russian defenses, capturing approximately 1,150 square kilometers of territory and 82 settlements. The establishment of a military commandant’s office in Sudzha has been reported, aimed at maintaining law and order and addressing the essential needs of the population in the newly controlled areas.
Sudzha’s strategic significance is underscored by its proximity to a crucial Russian gas terminal, which plays a pivotal role in supplying gas from Russia to Europe via Ukraine. This has fueled speculation that one of Kyiv’s objectives might be to disrupt a critical financial resource for Moscow. The Ukrainian incursion has reportedly displaced tens of thousands of Russians, intensifying the conflict and forcing Russia to urgently respond to Kyiv's advances.
In a related escalation, Ukrainian drones executed a major attack on Wednesday, targeting four Russian airfields in what is described as the largest drone assault of the war. The Ukrainian security service confirmed that the attack struck bases in Kursk, Voronezh, and Nizhny Novgorod, regions extending towards Moscow. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that they had intercepted and destroyed 117 "aircraft-type" drones and four tactical missiles over these regions.
This offensive marks a significant departure from previous strategies, as it is the first instance of foreign troops entering Russian territory since World War II. The advance into Sudzha and other territories has placed the Kremlin in a precarious position, prompting a reaction from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who vowed on Monday to expel the "enemy" from Russian soil.
In response to the Ukrainian advances, Russia has mobilized reserves from critical battleground areas in Ukraine and Russian-occupied Crimea to counter the incursion. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Telegram that they had recaptured the village of Krupets from Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to intensify along the eastern front, with Ukrainian forces facing heavy fighting near the city of Pokrovsk. Serhii Dobriak, head of Pokrovsk city military administration, reported that the fighting has brought Russian forces within 6 miles (10 kilometers) of the city. He has urged residents to evacuate immediately due to the escalating threat.
