 "Ukraine has captured key town of Sudzha in Russia's Kursk region, claims Zelenskyy")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday announced that Ukraine has captured the strategic town of Sudzha in the Russian Kursk region, giving his forces a crucial foothold as they advance across Russia.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said the capture of Sudzha was confirmed by Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi during a briefing.
Today at the Staff meeting, I received a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi. Our key defense directions at the frontline: Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and others. These areas are currently facing the most intense Russian assaults and are receiving our utmost defensive attention.… pic.twitter.com/uL3Oe4wL0n
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 15, 2024
“… the Commander-in-Chief reported on the operation in Kursk Oblast. There has been new progress. Our “exchange fund” has been further replenished. Additionally, General Syrskyi reported the successful liberation of the city of Sudzha from Russian forces,” said Zelenskyy in a video message on X.
He said Ukraine is setting up a commandant’s office in the town while more than 80 settlements in Kursk have now fallen to advancing Ukrainian troops.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to every one of our warriors who has made this possible,” said Zelenskyy.
He said he also received a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi on the defence directions at the frontline: Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and others.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“…These areas are currently facing the most intense Russian assaults and are receiving our utmost defensive attention. Priority supplies—everything that is needed—are being sent there,” added the Ukrainian president.
According to The Hill report, Moscow has not yet commented on Ukraine’s claims.
Russian military bloggers are continuing to report fighting across Kursk, including in and around Sudzha, though Ukrainian forces have pressured the town for more than a week and have been close to taking it for days, added the report.
The capture of Sudzha will strengthen Ukrainian positions in Kursk as they push further into the region following a surprise attack on August 6.
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s security meetings and orders to repel the advance, Russia has struggled to counter the Ukrainian push.
Kyiv claimed this week that it has secured approximately 386 square miles in Kursk. Ukraine is advancing in multiple directions from Sudzha, putting pressure on Russian forces across a broad new front.
While Ukrainian officials have stated they do not intend to hold Russian territory, their offensive could redirect Russian troops from eastern Ukraine and reduce pressure there.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has also captured dozens of prisoners, which could be leveraged in negotiations.
With inputs from agencies
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