Ukraine has been under intense pressure in the Kursk region — which it attacked last summer to boost domestic morale and use as a potential bargaining chip in possible peace negotiations — after Russian and North Korean troops launched a fierce counteroffensive.
The Ukrainians now face a tricky, narrow exit from Sudzha, the biggest foothold seized in their lightning raid, as Russian forces look to envelop the town.
Ruslan Leviev, founder of the independent war monitor Conflict Intelligence Team, told exiled Russian broadcaster TV Rain on Wednesday that Ukrainian soldiers are slowly retreating.
“The history of the Kursk bridgehead is coming to an end. Perhaps today this story will be over, or maybe the border villages will still try to hold on for a couple more days,” said Leviev.
“At this point, it’s fair to say that the entire city of Sudzha is now under Russian control,” he added.
According to DeepStateMap, a reputable interactive online chart of the hostilities, Russia has captured five other settlements.
