In a significant turn of events in the ongoing conflict, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on March 16, 2025, the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the logistics hub of Sudzha in Russia's Kursk Oblast. This comes just days after Russian authorities claimed to have captured the town, highlighting the fierce battle for control in this region where the stakes are incredibly high.
The withdrawal announcement was not formally stated; however, battlefield maps shared on social media depicted a complete retreat from Sudzha. This operation marks the culmination of intensified Russian offensives aimed at reclaiming territory previously held by Ukraine. The situation escalated following a surprise cross-border incursion by Ukrainian forces in August 2024, with the hope of leveraging captured areas for potential peace negotiations.
According to reports, Ukrainian troops have managed to hold onto a steadily dwindling foothold in Kursk despite severe logistical challenges exacerbated by Russia's aggressive use of artillery, drones, and glide bombs. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged the dire circumstances on the ground, stating, "In the most difficult situation, my priority has been and remains to save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers." He confirmed ongoing conflicts in the suburbs of Sudzha before the full withdrawal.
Following the withdrawal, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to encircle Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region for leverage in ongoing ceasefire negotiations with the United States. Speaking to journalists in Kyiv, Zelenskyy vehemently dismissed claims of encirclement, asserting, "There are Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. Their encirclement is Putin's lie."
The Russian Defense Ministry had earlier reported recapturing two villages near Sudzha, which had been under Ukrainian control. As fighting persisted around Sudzha, Kyiv faced challenges as a new battlefield map released on March 15 indicated that the town now lies outside Ukrainian-held territory.
Describing the escalating military action in the area, Zelenskyy also referred to Putin's calls for the surrender of Ukrainian troops in Kursk, which coincided with echoes of support from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Putin to spare the allegedly surrounded troops. However, these claims of encirclement were soon labelled as misinformation by Ukrainian officials.
The situation in Kursk took another twist with reports of significant contributions from North Korean troops to Russian military efforts. Ukraine claims that it has destroyed three North Korean Koksan self-propelled artillery guns during counteroffensives. Videos released by Ukraine’s 14th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment documented airstrikes on these positions. “Without North Korean troops, Russia cannot even hold onto its own territories with its own army,” stated Ruslan Mykula, co-founder of the Deep State initiative that tracks battlefield changes.
North Korean forces had reportedly regrouped in January after suffering heavy losses, only to reappear in February with renewed strength, bolstered by special forces and a greater command structure. The sheer scale of troop deployment and integration into Russian military efforts raised concerns about Ukraine's ability to maintain its presence in the region.
The urgency of the situation was underscored as Ukraine approached an almost complete withdrawal from Kursk by March 17, 2025. The Ukrainian-held territory diminished to approximately 10 percent of the more than 500 square miles previously controlled, as Russian forces exerted pressure to reclaim lost ground, vying for a strategic advantage in any future negotiations. Currently, Russia occupies around 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.
This military retreat came amid tactical difficulties for Ukrainian forces, where a lack of sufficient supplies and reinforcement routes played a significant role in their diminishing control. As former Ukrainian soldiers recounted, the harsh realities of drones dominating the skies resulted in monumental shifts in the dynamics of the battlefield, rendering previous strongholds untenable.
Observers noted that the timing of these Russian advancements coincided with the 80th anniversary of Russia's Victory Day over Nazi Germany, celebrated on May 9. Russian officials expressed aspirations to conclude the operations in the region ahead of this significant date, evidenced by an invitation extended to North Korean troops to participate in the celebrations.
As tumultuous as the battlefield remains, many analysts, including Michael Kofman from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, acknowledged the inevitability of strained supply lines and overextended forces leading to Ukraine's current predicament. “It was simply a matter of time before Russia could take back the salient,” he remarked, adding that the direction of upcoming military operations will hinge on the intentions of Russian leadership regarding territorial ambitions and negotiation strategies.
In summary, the conflict surrounding Sudzha and the Kursk region reveals a complex interplay of military maneuvers, political posturing, and international implications. As Ukraine's troop withdrawals unfold amidst claims of encirclement, the involvement of foreign forces implies a new and critical phase in the conflict, leaving both military strategists and diplomatic negotiators pondering the future of this protracted struggle.
