Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that Ukrainian forces have captured the strategic town of Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk region. This gain provides Ukraine with a significant foothold as its military continues advancing across Russian territory.
In a post on the social media platform X, Zelenskyy revealed that the capture of Sudzha was confirmed during a briefing by Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi.
“… the Commander-in-Chief reported on the operation in Kursk Oblast. There has been new progress. Our ‘exchange fund’ has been further replenished. Additionally, General Syrskyi reported the successful liberation of the city of Sudzha from Russian forces,” Zelenskyy said in a video message.
Zelenskyy also mentioned that Ukraine is establishing a commandant’s office in Sudzha. According to him, over 80 settlements in the Kursk region have now come under Ukrainian control. “I extend my deepest gratitude to every one of our warriors who has made this possible,” Zelenskyy added.
The Ukrainian president also received reports from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi regarding critical defense positions on the frontlines, including areas like Toretsk and Pokrovsk.
“…These areas are currently facing the most intense Russian assaults and are receiving our utmost defensive attention. Priority supplies—everything that is needed—are being sent there,” Zelenskyy stated.
Despite these developments, Moscow has yet to issue a response to Ukraine’s claims, according to a report from The Hill. Russian military bloggers, however, continue to report ongoing fighting across Kursk, including in and around Sudzha. Ukrainian forces have reportedly been pressuring the town for over a week and were close to securing it in recent days, the report added.
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The capture of Sudzha bolsters Ukraine’s strategic position in Kursk as they continue to push deeper into the region. This follows a surprise offensive launched by Ukrainian forces on August 6.
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s orders to counter the Ukrainian advance, Russian forces have struggled to mount an effective response. Kyiv officials claimed earlier this week that Ukraine has secured approximately 386 square miles of territory in Kursk. The Ukrainian offensive is progressing in multiple directions from Sudzha, intensifying pressure on Russian forces across a new front.
Although Ukrainian officials have reiterated that they do not intend to hold Russian territory, their offensive has the potential to divert Russian troops from eastern Ukraine, alleviating some of the pressure on those regions.
In the meantime, Ukraine has captured numerous prisoners, which could serve as leverage in future negotiations.
