Ukraine Has Captured Russian Town Of Sudzha, Says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that Ukrainian forces have successfully captured the Russian town of Sudzha, located in the Kursk region.

This significant development comes just days after Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into Russian territory, marking a new phase in the conflict.

AFP reports that the Kursk region, situated in western Russia, was caught off guard by the sudden attack last week, prompting Russian authorities to declare a state of emergency in the area.

Ukrainian President Zelensky earlier announced that Ukrainian troops had made further gains in the Kursk region, advancing 1-2 kilometres since Wednesday morning and capturing 100 Russian soldiers.

However, Russia claimed to have halted any additional Ukrainian progress. This marks the second week of Ukraine’s most significant incursion into Russian territory since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

Following a meeting with military commanders, Zelensky reported on social media that the Ukrainian army has successfully liberated the town of Sudzha from Russian forces. If confirmed, this would represent the largest town captured by Ukraine to date in the conflict.

Prior to the conflict, the town of Sudzha had a population of around 5,000 people.

Strategically located, Sudzha serves as a vital hub for energy transit, with natural gas pipelines from West Siberian fields passing through the town and connecting to Ukraine’s gas network.

In a recent announcement, Zelenskyy revealed plans to set up a military command centre in Sudzha, although the specific objectives and operations of this new office remain unclear.