New advance

Russian flag flies again over Sudzha in Kursk

Last August, Ukrainian forces were able to conquer more than 1000 square kilometers in the Kursk region.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Kommersant Photo/ANATOLIY ZHDANOV)

Russia has succeeded in making an advance in the war with Ukraine: Moscow troops have recaptured the small town of Sudscha in the Kursk region. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow announced that Sudzha had been "liberated". In the summer, Ukraine had taken control of large parts of the region in western Russia.

For days now, Russian troops have been reporting progress in recapturing the areas in the Kursk region that have been under siege by Ukrainian forces since August 2024. In addition, the towns of Melovoi and Podol have also been recaptured. 

The Ukrainian side did not initially confirm the loss. Sudzha was considered Ukraine's most important conquest in Russia. The Ukrainian General Staff's report from the previous evening spoke of repulsed attacks. The Kursk front section was not mentioned in the morning report.

Serious setback for Ukraine
Selenskyj had repeatedly described the Kursk offensive as a great success in the fight against the Russian war of aggression. The loss of the territory is considered a serious setback because Ukraine wanted to use the areas under its control as collateral in possible negotiations with Russia. 

However, both Commander-in-Chief Olexander Syrskyj and President Volodymyr Selenskyj had previously conceded that, in case of doubt, a retreat would take place in order to save the lives of their own soldiers.

Russia has been trying to recapture territory for months
Russia has been waging fierce battles for months - at times also supported by North Korean soldiers - to recapture the territory. Most recently, the Ukrainians were under massive pressure and had to withdraw from several villages.

Russian flag raised in Sudzha
Russian media and military bloggers had already reported the day before that Sudzha had been liberated. Moscow's troops had raised the Russian flag over the city administration building, according to a commander. Maps from Ukrainian military observers already showed Sudscha as being under Russian control.