SUDJA, Russia (AP) — The path carved by Ukrainian forces is a path of destruction. A dangerous incursion into RussiaBursting across the border, it eventually entered the city of Sudzha, where Associated Press journalists were traveling Friday on a trip organized by the Ukrainian government.
Artillery fire erupted from a statue of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin in the Russian city’s central square, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that his forces were fully under control. An administration building had its windows blown out and its bright yellow facade charred with bullet holes.
Ukrainian forces have repelled one Russian settlement after another, which Kyiv hopes will change the dynamic of the 2½-year conflict.
Russia’s military has so far Struggled to mount a useful response The attack on its Kursk region was the largest attack on the country since World War II. Chutsha, 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border, is the largest town to fall to Ukrainian troops since the incursion began on August 6.
Evidence of Ukraine’s lightning march is on the roads leading to the city. On the trash-strewn grass is a bullet-riddled sign with arrows pointing in two directions: Ukraine to the left and Russia to the right. A burnt tank stands by the side of the road.
The photos and videos AP chose to publish were reviewed by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, as is standard practice in such trips.
There is penetration Reframed the conflictIt led to the evacuation of more than 120,000 civilians, according to Russian officials, and the capture of at least 100 Russian troops, according to Kiev. It is widely seen as a major morale boost for a country and an army that has struggled to hold back steady Russian advances for more than two years since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine.
But, so far, it has not eroded Russia’s overall strategic advantage.
The full scope of the Kursk operation remains unclear, how long Ukraine is willing to hold onto Russian territory and to what end. Will Sudzha be a bargaining chip for future ceasefire talks? Will Ukraine, then, assume the role of an aggressor in a country that controls a fifth of its own territory?
Ukrainian officials and soldiers have said the Kursk offensive was at least aimed at diverting Russian reserves from key battlefields in eastern Ukraine, but Moscow has shown no signs of withdrawing significant numbers of troops from the fighting there, or reducing their speed.
Zelensky said Ukraine would establish a command office in Chudza to coordinate aid and military affairs. Ukraine may plan to stay in the Kursk region for a long time, or at least signal to Moscow that it wants to.
There are Western supporters of Ukraine He was very quiet Regarding the surprise move, US President Joe Biden said he was aware of the developments.
Sudja, which had a population of just 5,000 before the start of the conflict, has some strategic importance. From the city, the troops could access the main roads to continue their operations in Russia. Natural gas flowing from West Siberian gas fields to Central Europe through Ukraine passes through a metering station in the Chudja district. However, Ukraine can reduce this gas flow from its own territory.
In a Russian town on Friday, residents huddled in a school basement. As they wondered about their fate, Ukrainian forces pushed back their advance on Kursk. Fighting continued south of Korenevo, a town about the same size as Chudja, an important tactical advantage.
