Ukrainian forces capture Sudja, advance in Kursk region
In the Russian region of Kursk, the Ukrainian offensive has entered its tenth day. Kyiv is advancing, while Russia is digging trenches near the Kursk nuclear plant and bringing in military forces from Kaliningrad.
Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian soldiers have captured the largest Russian city to date—Sudja, in the Kursk region—while simultaneously replenishing their reserves for a new prisoner exchange.
Ukrainian forces have advanced a few more kilometres in the last 24 hours. The commander-in-chief of the army, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported to the Ukrainian president that the city of Sudja had been captured and announced the establishment of the first military office there.
"In total, since the beginning of the operation in the Kursk region, our troops have advanced 35 kilometres behind enemy lines. We have taken control of 1,150 square kilometres of territory across 82 localities," Syrskyi declared.
However, experts, particularly the American Institute for the Study of War, question this figure, suggesting it might be smaller. The information has not been confirmed by independent sources.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian special forces announced that they have captured the largest group of Russian soldiers to surrender since the beginning of the war. The 102 Russian soldiers taken prisoner were part of the 488th Motorized Regiment and the "Ahmat" unit, according to Ukrainian special forces fighting in Kursk in support of the army. Photos and videos distributed by Ukrainian special forces show dozens of Russian soldiers lying face down, waiting to be taken to a prisoner centre.
Meanwhile, the Financial Times, citing Ukraine’s Intelligence Directorate, reports that Kyiv has already begun negotiations with Moscow regarding the exchange of prisoners captured in the Kursk region, a fact confirmed by Volodymyr Zelensky.
"We have made new advances. We have replenished our exchange fund. General Syrskyi reported the completion of the liberation of the city of Sudja from the Russian army. Additionally, today, the strategy for the return of our people from Russian captivity was presented. There are many sensitive details, including matters related to the formation of lists and our cooperation with partners,” stated Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have thwarted the Ukrainian offensive and slowed its progress, but acknowledges that, according to its data, Ukrainian troops have advanced two kilometres in the last 24 hours. Russian forces report clashes with Ukrainian troops near localities about 25 kilometres from the border. No independently confirmed casualty figures are available for either side.
Meanwhile, evacuations continue in several districts across two Russian regions: Kursk and Belgorod. In total, more than 120,000 people have already been evacuated. In the Belgorod region, as was done earlier in the Kursk region, a federal emergency regime has been introduced.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
