Ukraine's strategic withdrawal in Kursk: Zelensky's call for caution
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Wednesday that the Ukrainian army continues to operate in Russia's Kursk region, with the military command prioritising the protection of soldiers' lives. He made these remarks following reports that Ukrainian armed forces had withdrawn from the Russian town of Sudzha.
Zelensky stated that Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region are fulfilling their duties while facing intense pressure from Russia. He emphasized that the military command is taking the necessary measures to protect soldiers' lives as much as possible.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine must brace itself for Russia to intensify its pressure in the upcoming days.
Zelensky argued that the situation is not solely about escalating tensions in the Kursk region but also involves intimidation tactics. He suggested that these efforts could take multiple forms, including nuclear threats. Emphasizing that Russia deliberately employs this strategy before any diplomatic negotiations, he stressed the importance of maintaining a clear perspective and addressing actual threats rather than propaganda.
Ukrainian media reported on Wednesday, citing maps from the DeepState project, which documents the positions of Ukrainian and Russian troops, that Ukrainian units had withdrawn from Russia's Sudzha. However, they were reported to be still present in villages west of this locality in the Kursk region.
Ukrainians entered the Kursk region on 6 August 2024
The Moscow Times reported that the decision to withdraw is part of a broader operation to prevent the rout of Ukrainian forces in the region. Analyst Jan Matveev emphasises that this operation enabled Ukraine to preserve its main forces and avoid defeat in this section of the front.
Ukrainian forces, unexpectedly for Moscow, entered the Kursk region on 6 August 2024. At the time, it was explained that one of the objectives of this offensive was to compel the Russians to relocate some of their forces from the occupied Donbas in eastern Ukraine to this area. Kyiv currently controls approximately 190 square miles of the Russian region.
