Ukraine Establishes Military Headquarters in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently announced that Ukrainian forces had captured Sudzha, the capital of Kursk, Russia, and established a military headquarters there.

This pivotal development marks the largest Russian town to fall under Ukrainian control since the start of the cross-border conflict more than a week ago.

The incursion has caused substantial disruption in the Kursk region, leading to the evacuation of over 120,000 civilians and the capture of at least 100 Russian troops.

Zelensky indicated that one of the primary objectives of this operation was to protect Ukrainian border regions and dismantle the Russian military presence nearby.

He stated, "The more Russian military presence is destroyed in the border regions, the closer peace and real security will be for our state. The Russian state must be responsible for what it has done."

This occupation of Kursk by Ukraine is historically notable as it is the first time foreign troops have invaded and held Russian territory since Nazi Germany did during World War II. The surprise Ukrainian incursion has reframed the war, causing chaos in the Kursk region.

According to Western military analysts, as many as 10,000 Ukrainian troops are involved, highlighting the size, speed, and strategic depth of the operation.

Despite the swift advances, Russian military bloggers report that Russian reserves sent to the Kursk region have slowed Ukrainian progress. However, questions remain about whether this incursion might force Moscow to reallocate troops from front-line positions in eastern Ukraine, where they have made slow but steady advances this year.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby noted on Thursday that Russia had withdrawn some forces, including infantry units, from Ukraine and was shifting them to Kursk, although the exact number of troops involved remains unclear.

As of Thursday, the Ukrainian military claimed to hold more than 80 towns and settlements in the Kursk region. Satellite images showed that a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian airbases damaged at least two hangars and other areas.

Kursk’s acting Governor Alexei Smirnov ordered the evacuation of the Glushkovo region, suggesting that Ukrainian forces were gradually advancing toward the area.