Ukraine has announced that it has taken full control of Sudzha, a Russian town located about six miles inside Russian territory. Sudzha, with a prewar population of 5,000, is a critical hub for Russian gas transit to Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that General Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed the town’s liberation and the establishment of a Ukrainian military commandant’s office there. Although the claim has not been independently verified, a local Ukrainian television report supported the assertion.
Impact on Gas Supply and Regional Response
Sudzha houses a measuring station for Russian natural gas that flows through Ukrainian pipelines to Europe, making up approximately 3% of European gas imports. Andrei Fedorov, a former Russian deputy foreign minister, suggested that Ukraine’s capture of this hub could disrupt European gas supplies, particularly affecting Hungary and Slovakia. However, there has been no current indication of a gas flow disruption.
In response to Ukraine’s advances, Russia’s defense ministry reported successfully repelling further incursions and regaining control of Krupets. Additionally, Kursk’s acting regional governor Alexei Smirnov has ordered the evacuation of Glushkovo region, fearing further Ukrainian progress. Over 120,000 residents have already been evacuated from the area.
Military Developments and International Reactions
The British-donated Challenger 2 tanks have reportedly been used by Ukrainian forces inside Russia, though the UK Ministry of Defence has not commented. The aim of the Ukrainian operation appears to be creating a buffer zone to prevent Russian attacks, though details on the territory held remain unclear.
Ukrainian security services released a video showing captured Russian soldiers, with President Zelensky commenting on the new prisoners of war as part of ongoing efforts to renew stalled prisoner exchanges. Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets is in talks with his Russian counterpart to facilitate a new exchange.
Russian Response and Criticisms
Russian officials have downplayed the significance of the Ukrainian attack, labeling it as part of an “anti-terrorist operation” rather than an invasion. Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the UN, criticized the Ukrainian assault as reckless and claimed that Russia would soon restore control. Some Russian commentators, including Andrei Fedorov, have criticized the official narrative, acknowledging the seriousness of the Ukrainian advance and the need for a sustained defensive effort.