What We Saw in the Russian Town of Sudzha, Now Controlled by Ukraine, As Kursk Operation Unfolds

Sudzha is a Russian town just 10 kilometers from the border with Ukraine. It is one of the places in Russia that the Ukrainian Armed Forces now control. Over 1,263 square kilometers and 93 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region are under Ukrainian administration, as was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and further detailed by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. We visited the town on the 20th of August 2024, as Ukraine’s operation in the area continued. Here’s what we saw.

On-the-ground

“These are our first minutes in Sudzha, Kursk region,” our journalist, Mykyta Ilchenko, shares his first impressions of the situation there. “So far, as I can see, the city has some signs of shelling and fighting. It’s relatively better than comparing to the towns from the Ukrainian side, the frontline towns I’ve been to.”  The breakthrough by Ukrainian troops on August 6th has allowed journalists to enter the Kursk region and report on the situation.

While there, Vadym Mysnyk, who is the spokesperson for the Siversk Operational-Tactical Grouping of Troops, tells us that enemy strikes are ongoing, impacting both the city and its residents.

“[Russia] continues to target settlements along the entire border. Sudzha, where we are now, is frequently hit. People are suffering from these attacks and are urgently seeking peace.”

Mariia, a local resident of Sudzha who we spoke to, tells us of the lack of organized evacuation efforts by Russia in the town, which forced residents without transportation to stay during the attacks:

“There was no official evacuation announcement. People had to leave on their own if they had transportation. We are simple workers without such resources. The wealthier residents managed to leave, and we are left here.”

Humanitarian assistance and restoration efforts

Ukrainian defense forces started helping civilians from the very first days of the operation. Since August 15th, a Ukrainian command post has been operating in Sudzha, working to maintain order and meet the needs of the local population. Military doctors began providing medical care from August 20th.

Mariia shares her experiences with the Ukrainian troops:

“There are many elderly people still here. The Ukrainian soldiers are very helpful. They ask us what we need and what medicines we require. They brought bread and water. We are not afraid; they treat us very well.”

Vadym Mysnyk says that there is a sharp contrast between the humanitarian approach of Ukrainian forces and Russian troops, “We are witnessing how the Russians treat their own population. In contrast, our soldiers adhere to humanitarian principles and international laws. Our conduct is markedly different from theirs.”

Local resident Maria adds, “They said: ‘Don't be afraid, we will not do anything bad to ordinary people’. And they didn't. “