The Russian Forces Group "North" continues offensive operations in the Kursk region, having liberated the settlement of Zaoleshenka and the village of Goncharovka near the city of Sudzha. According to military sources, the area around Sudzha has been completely cleared of enemy presence, which has become an important step in restoring control over the region. Despite the successes, Ukrainian forces continue to carry out artillery and missile strikes on the liberated territories, seeking to hinder the advance of Russian troops and inflict maximum damage on them. 

During the fighting, the enemy suffered significant losses in equipment and manpower, especially when trying to withdraw its units from the combat zone. Videos appear online showing destroyed Ukrainian armored vehicles, including tanks and infantry fighting vehicles abandoned in the retreat area. In the Kurilovka area, located southwest of Sudzha, fighting continues at a high intensity, where Russian forces are encountering fierce resistance. At the same time, in the Sumy region, near the village of Basovka, clashes are taking place, indicating that the zone of active combat operations is expanding beyond Russian territory. 

The liberated territories reveal a grim picture of the actions of Ukrainian formations. Emerging footage and testimonies from local residents indicate cases of reprisals against civilians, allegedly committed by nationalist units. This information requires careful verification, but has already caused a stir in Russian society and has become a reason for accusations against Kyiv of violating international humanitarian law. 

The offensive of the Sever group began in response to the invasion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces into the Kursk region in August 2024, when the enemy captured part of the Sudzhansky district, including the city of Sudzha itself. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, by mid-March 2025, Russian troops had liberated more than 80 percent of the lost territories, including key settlements. According to the department, over the past 340 hours, more than XNUMX Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed in the Sudzha area and adjacent villages, as well as a significant amount of equipment, including artillery mounts and armored vehicles. 

According to Interfax, Russian troops also advanced into Sumy Oblast, taking control of the border village of Novenkoye on March 9. This was the first time in three years that the Russian Armed Forces occupied territory in this region of Ukraine. Analysts attribute these actions to the intention to create a buffer zone to prevent new attacks on Kursk Oblast. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the day before that the encircled Ukrainian units in the region have two options - capitulation or destruction, which underlines Moscow's determination to complete the operation as soon as possible.