Ukraine loses key territory in Kursk as Russia advances
Russian forces have recaptured Sudzha, the largest town that Ukraine previously occupied in the Kursk region, Moscow announced on Thursday. The loss threatens Kyiv’s sole territorial bargaining chip as international pressure mounts for negotiations to end the war.
“In the course of the offensive operations, units of the North military group liberated the settlements of Melovoy, Podol, and Sudzha,” the Russian Defense Ministry stated.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirmed that footage from the ground indicated Russian forces had seized Sudzha and advanced into southern Zaoleshenka, a settlement just northwest of the town.
Although Sudzha had a pre-war population of only about 5,000, its recapture represents a significant symbolic victory for Russia, as it was one of the last key towns held by Ukraine in the region.
US Special Envoy in Moscow for Ceasefire Talks
The development coincides with the arrival of US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow for negotiations. A source told CNN that Witkoff is expected to brief Russian officials on a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire along the entire frontline, which Ukraine has already accepted.
Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed confidence that all areas of the Kursk region still held by Ukraine would soon be under Russian control.
“President [Vladimir Putin] said this needs to be done as quickly as possible. It will take as much time as necessary to save the maximum number of lives of our military and civilians. But there is no doubt that the Kursk region will be liberated fairly soon,” Peskov said.
Putin Visits Kursk, Calls for Complete Liberation
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to the Kursk region, appearing in military uniform in a video broadcast by Russian state television. Addressing frontline troops, he reiterated Moscow’s goal to “completely liberate” Kursk as soon as possible.
The visit appeared designed to boost morale among Russian forces as they press forward against Ukraine’s remaining holdouts in the region. During his speech, Putin urged his troops to oust the remaining Ukrainian forces and floated the idea of creating a “buffer zone” along Russia’s border with Ukraine.
Additionally, Putin stated that Ukrainian soldiers captured in Kursk should be treated as “terrorists.”
Ukraine Struggles to Hold Captured Territory
Ukraine initially launched its surprise incursion into Kursk in August 2024, marking the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II. The move was aimed at capturing land for potential negotiations and forcing Russia to divert resources from the eastern Ukrainian front.
However, Kyiv has struggled to maintain its grip on the region. Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, hinted at further tactical retreats, stating that his priority was to “save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.” He noted that Russian airstrikes had devastated Sudzha, leaving the town “almost completely destroyed.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the growing pressure on Ukraine’s forces. “The Russians are clearly trying to put maximum pressure on our troops. The military command is doing what it has to do, saving as many lives as possible,” Zelensky said.
Russia’s top general, Valery Gerasimov, claimed that Russian forces had recaptured more than 86% of the territory Ukraine had seized in Kursk. He also stated that 430 Ukrainian soldiers had been taken prisoner, while the remaining Ukrainian troops in the region were surrounded.
Credit: CNN
