Ukrainian Forces Withdraw from Sudzha in Kursk Region After 7 Months, Amid Russian Advances Led by Putin

Ukrainian forces have fully withdrawn from the city of Sudzha in Russia's Kursk region, following intensified Russian military operations. The withdrawal comes after decisive Russian strikes and mounting losses for the Ukrainian side, with the situation deteriorating rapidly over the past week. The retreat from Sudzha leaves Ukrainian troops with only the western outskirts under their control. Russian forces continue their advance, aiming to reclaim the entire Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces had occupied since August 2024. The loss of Sudzha, held by Ukraine for over seven months, could weaken Kyiv's position in potential peace negotiations with Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that the military's priority is to preserve the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, suggesting the retreat is part of a strategy to minimize casualties. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the region, praising the advances and promising to fully liberate Kursk from Ukrainian forces soon. Amid the withdrawal, Ukrainian General Dmytro Krasilnikov was dismissed as head of the 'North' command by Oleksandr Syrskyi, highlighting the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces in the region. The retreat and the dismissal underscore the difficulties Ukraine faces in maintaining its foothold in Russian territory, especially with the involvement of North Korean commanders and the use of advanced FPV drones and tactics like infiltrating through a gas pipeline.