After days of denial, Ukraine’s General Staff has acknowledged the loss of Sudzha, the largest town Ukrainian forces had occupied in Russia’s Kursk region. The recapture of Sudzha marks a significant gain for Russia in its ongoing offensive to push Ukrainian troops out of its territory.
Before the offensive, Sudzha had a population of approximately 5,000 people. However, the town is now reported to be heavily damaged. Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated on Thursday that Russian aircraft conducted numerous strikes on the town, leaving it nearly destroyed. Although the General Staff did not issue a formal statement confirming the withdrawal, it posted updated battlefield maps on social media showing a complete retreat from Sudzha.
Escalating Conflict and Strategic Maneuvers
The confirmation of Ukraine’s retreat comes as Russian forces intensify their offensive in the Kursk region. Ukraine had launched a surprise cross-border incursion into the area in August 2024, aiming to use captured territories as leverage in potential peace negotiations. Despite deteriorating logistics caused by Russia’s relentless use of artillery, drones, and glide bombs, Kiev had maintained a shrinking foothold in Kursk Oblast.
Unconfirmed reports of a Ukrainian encirclement circulated online last week, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to urge Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 14 to “spare” surrounded Ukrainian troops. Ukraine has denied these claims, insisting its forces are not encircled.
On March 13, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the capture of Sudzha, a claim that followed Syrskyi’s confirmation of ongoing battles in the town’s suburbs and surrounding areas. Syrskyi emphasized his priority of preserving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, stating, “In the most difficult situation, my priority has been and remains to save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. To do this, the units of [Ukraine’s] Defense Forces, if necessary, are maneuvering to more favorable positions.”
Russian Advances and Ukrainian Defenses
Pro-Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyaka, a prominent voice in the conflict, claimed that Russian forces had pushed Ukrainian troops back to the border in some areas, though intense fighting continued as Ukrainian forces resisted during their retreat. Battlefield maps from both sides showed two joined pockets of Ukrainian forces on the Russian side of the border in Kursk. Russia also reported clearing large numbers of mines in the area.
Following Trump’s public appeal, Putin stated on Friday that Russia would guarantee the lives of Ukrainian troops in the region if they surrendered. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, however, denied that his troops were surrounded and raised concerns about a potential new Russian offensive in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, which borders Kursk. Pro-Russian military blogger “Two Majors” noted that Russian gains in Kursk could threaten Sumy but cautioned that Ukrainian forces had been reinforcing defenses there for some time.
Reconstruction Efforts in Recaptured Areas
Alexander Khinshtein, the acting governor of the Kursk region, announced on Saturday that reconstruction and development plans were underway for areas recaptured from Ukrainian control. Khinshtein identified landmine clearance and population restoration as the most urgent tasks. The Russian Defense Ministry also confirmed that its engineering units had begun demining operations in reclaimed border areas of Kursk.
The situation underscores Ukraine’s struggle to maintain its position in the face of Russia’s overwhelming military pressure. Critics argue that Kyiv’s refusal to acknowledge the reality on the ground has led to significant losses in manpower and resources, diminishing its leverage in potential negotiations. As the conflict continues, the focus remains on the humanitarian and strategic implications of the ongoing battles in the region.