Zelenskyy: Kyiv Forces Fully Control Russian Town of Sudzha

KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that Ukrainian forces have gained full control of the Russian town of Sudzha, which is located in the Kursk region. This marks a significant advancement as it is the largest town that Ukraine has reportedly captured during its military operations in Russian territory.

Prior to the conflict, Sudzha had a population of approximately 5,000 residents. The town is notable for housing a measuring station used for Russian natural gas that travels through Ukrainian pipelines to Europe.

This gas originates from West Siberian fields and crosses through Sudzha before integrating into Ukraine’s wider pipeline system.

Zelenskyy indicated that a military command office would be established in Sudzha, although he did not provide further details regarding what this office’s functions would entail.

The situation remains complex, as this claim by Ukrainian officials has not yet been independently verified. Russia did not provide an immediate response to Zelenskyy’s statement; however, the Russian defense ministry had asserted earlier that it had thwarted efforts to seize multiple other locations.

Thus far, there has been no clear indication of any disruption to the gas flow through Sudzha, which is responsible for about 3% of imports to Europe.

Meanwhile, satellite imagery reviewed by The Associated Press showed significant damage from a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian air bases. Photographs captured on Wednesday revealed that at least two hangars at Borisoglebsk Air Base sustained damage, with debris scattered across the area. It was unclear exactly what role these hangars played in operations at the base, but there appeared to be noticeable damage to some fighter jets as well.

Furthermore, a separate evaluation of the Savasleika Air Base indicated a potential burn mark on the tarmac, though other military aircraft remained unscathed.

In response to the evolving situation, acting Governor of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, announced an evacuation order for the Glushkovo region, which lies approximately 45 kilometers northwest of Sudzha. This evacuation directive reflects concerns that Ukrainian forces are progressively moving closer to populated areas. Officials have reported that over 120,000 residents in the Kursk region have already evacuated in light of ongoing military actions.

At a facility set up for evacuees, Tatyana Anikeyeva described her escape from Sudzha, stating, “We were rushing from Sudzha. We hid in the bushes. Volunteers were handing out water, food, and bread to people on the go. The sound of the cannonade continued without any break. The house was shaking.”

As evacuees waited for essential supplies, the atmosphere was somber. One man tried to provide comfort to his pet dog while expressing his own distress, indicating that he felt nauseous and unable to eat due to the situation.

Concerning the ongoing state of emergency in Russia, a federal emergency was declared in the Belgorod region, following the introduction of a regional emergency the day prior. This escalation signifies concerns that the situation is worsening, impacting the delivery of crucial aid to residents.

Residents suffering serious health repercussions may receive compensations of up to 600,000 rubles (approximately $6,600), while those who have lost property can claim up to 150,000 rubles ($1,700), as specified by Russia’s Emergencies Ministry.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s top military leader, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, asserted that Ukrainian forces have taken control of around 1,000 square kilometers (about 390 square miles) of territory in the Kursk region, though this statement remains uncorroborated by independent sources. The situation around Kursk appears fluid, allowing both Ukrainian and Russian troops to maneuver effectively, contrasting with the more static front lines observed in eastern Ukraine, where progress has been painstakingly slow.

Russian military analysts have claimed that reinforcements in the region have managed to curb Ukrainian advances, but reports suggest that small mechanized Ukrainian units continue to test Russian defenses.

At the United Nations, Russia’s Deputy U.N. Ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, downplayed Syrskyi’s claims, referring to the situation in Kursk as merely an incursion by “terrorist sabotage groups” rather than a conventional military conflict. He stated that the presence of Ukrainian forces in the region would be addressed and eliminated swiftly.

Polyansky characterized the Ukrainian incursion as a “reckless and mad operation,” contending that it would not compel Russia to withdraw troops from eastern Ukraine, claiming that Russia has sufficient military presence in that area.

Source: Associated Press