Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian troops have taken full control of the Russian town of Sudzha in the Kursk region amidst their incursion into Russian territory. Sudzha is the largest town seized by Ukraine so far and is strategically important due to the natural gas flows passing through it. Zelenskyy mentioned that a Ukrainian military commander’s office is being established in Sudzha, although details were not provided.
The claims made by Zelenskyy could not be independently verified. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press showed damage to Russian air bases by Ukrainian drone attacks, with hangars and aircraft being impacted. The Kursk acting Governor ordered the evacuation of the Glushkovo region due to heavy fighting, suggesting Ukrainian forces are advancing towards the area.
Russia declared a state of emergency in the Belgorod region as the situation worsened. An evacuation center saw residents seeking shelter and supplies, highlighting the impact of the conflict on civilians. Ukrainian forces claimed to have taken a significant amount of territory in the Kursk region, but this information could not be confirmed independently. The contact lines in Kursk have remained fluid, allowing both sides to maneuver easily.
Russian officials dismissed Ukrainian claims of territorial gains, labeling the incursion as terrorist sabotage groups in difficult-to-control forests. They expressed confidence in eliminating Ukrainian troops within a brief period of time. The Russian response to the incursion was characterized as reckless and mad, with Russia having enough troops in eastern Ukraine to counter any moves.
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