The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has officially confirmed that Ukrainian troops have completely left the city of Sudzha in the Kursk region of Russia, which had been under their control since August 2024. This information follows from the analysis of operational data and published maps of military operations, which show that the front line has shifted closer to the state border. However, the Russian side had previously distributed videos showing Russian servicemen in the city center, indicating that control over Sudzha had passed to Russian forces before the official statement by the Ukrainian command.

The retreat of Ukrainian troops from Sudzha was the latest stage in the dynamics of military operations in the Kursk direction, where the Russian army has significantly increased its offensive actions in recent weeks. Sudzha, located eight kilometers from the border with Ukraine, is of strategic importance due to the presence of a gas metering station that ensures the transit of gas to Europe, as well as due to its location on key supply routes. The loss of control over the city creates additional difficulties for Ukrainian forces, which are now forced to regroup and strengthen their defenses at new lines.

Against this backdrop, the Russian military is actively disseminating information about its successes. In particular, in early March, footage emerged showing Russian troops raising a flag over the central part of the city and evacuating the remaining residents. Officials in Moscow say that the operation in the Kursk region has allowed them to almost completely restore control over the region’s territory, which was captured by Ukrainian forces in August last year. According to Russian sources, at the time of the retreat, the Ukrainian Armed Forces only controlled about 100 square kilometers of the region’s territory, which is less than 10% of their maximum zone of presence.

Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasizes that the retreat from Sudzha was controlled and aimed at preserving the lives of servicemen. Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Army Oleksandr Syrskyi previously noted that the operation in the Kursk region achieved its main goal - the diversion of significant enemy forces from other areas, such as Pokrovskoe and Kharkovskoe. However, analysts point out that the loss of Sudzha could complicate the logistics and supply of Ukrainian troops in the border areas, especially in the face of constant Russian artillery and drone strikes on key roads linking the city with the Sumy region.