Nearing defeat on all fronts, the Ukrainian sure into Russian territory seems one last desperate move to get more aid from the west.
In the border town of Sudzha, Russia, a grim reality unfolds—one that mirrors the horrors Ukraine has endured for over two years. Bodies are left decomposing on the streets, civilian vehicles riddled with bullet holes line the roads, and the once imposing statue of Lenin stands with half its face blown away. Shrapnel litters the streets, and terrified residents seek refuge in bomb shelters. The air is thick with the scent of death and destruction in buildings torn apart by war.
“It’s very surreal to be inside Russia with Ukrainian forces leading the way.”@npwcnn gained some of the first access to Ukrainian-held Russia, witnessing their control over the town of Sudzha and the intensity of the fight. pic.twitter.com/gjkBaJQEcR
— CNN International PR (@cnnipr) August 16, 2024
This tragic scene, now familiar in Ukraine, has become a new and unsettling experience for Russia. Eleven days ago, Ukrainian forces launched an assault on Sudzha, a border town, and on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed it was under Ukrainian control. This reversal is shocking for Russia, which had not anticipated an invasion on its soil when President Vladimir Putin initiated his war of choice two years ago.
Accompanied by Ukrainian forces, we crossed into Russia, passing a border post left in ruins by Ukraine’s initial attack. Despite occasional plumes of black smoke rising from explosions on the horizon, the road ahead was eerily calm. The surrounding fields, once defended by a Cold War superpower, now lay vulnerable for the first time since World War II.
A massive Orthodox Christian cross marked the entrance to Sudzha, bearing the inscription “God save and protect us.” Nearby, the wreckage of tanks and other armored vehicles served as grim reminders of the fierce battles that had taken place days earlier.
The streets of Sudzha were largely deserted, though the sounds of small arms fire and distant artillery occasionally broke the silence. Our Ukrainian escort explained that Russian attack drones, which had previously hampered Ukrainian advances, were now too occupied with battles on the front lines to harass Kyiv’s forces at the border. The absence of these drones, along with Russian air power, hinted at a potential shift in Ukraine’s capabilities during this surprise assault. The sight of Western-supplied armored vehicles on Russian soil underscored Ukraine’s commitment to this fight, despite earlier claims of resource shortages.
Despite the devastation, some residents remained in Sudzha. Outside a large building, a handwritten sign pleaded, “Here are peaceful people in the basement, no military.” Inna, a 68-year-old woman, sat outside, explaining that 60 civilians were sheltering in the basement. “They brought a lot of boxes, their food,” she said of the Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian President #Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces have taken control of the Russian town of Sudzha, over a week after his forces launched a cross-border incursion into Russia’s #Kursk region.#RussiaUkraineWar #Russia | Source: Reuters pic.twitter.com/abA4a1dObk
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 16, 2024
Inside, the basement resembled scenes we’ve witnessed in countless Ukrainian towns—tragically, it was now Russia’s turn. Stanislav, an elderly man with a gray beard, summed up the situation: “See, this is not life. It is existing. It is not life.”
In the damp, dark shelter, the infirm and elderly huddled together. One woman, dressed in a bright red summer dress, expressed her despair: “And now I don’t know how it will end. At least a truce so we can live peacefully. We don’t need anything.” Flies buzzed around her as she spoke, adding to the misery.
In another room, a flickering light revealed a family of six. The father, his face etched with worry, said, “A week. No news. We don’t know what’s happening around us.” His son sat silently beside him, pale and expressionless.
At the end of the corridor, Yefimov, a man in his 90s, spoke to one of our Ukrainian escorts. His daughter, niece, and grandchildren live in Ukraine, but he has lost contact with them. When asked where he wanted to flee, he replied, “To Ukraine. You are the first to mention it.”
Outside, Nina, a 74-year-old woman, searched desperately for her medication. Shops and pharmacies were destroyed. Despite the chaos, she refused to leave, clinging to her home of 50 years. “Why would I leave where I lived 50 years? My daughter and mother are in the graveyard, and my son was born here,” she said, her voice filled with determination.
Footage of day one of the Kursk incursion
Ukraine’s 80th Airborne Assault Brigade showed fighting at Russia’s Sudzha border checkpoint on 6 August. pic.twitter.com/kSbZEQIR9V
— GMan (Ґленн) ☘️🇬🇧🇺🇦🇺🇸🇵🇱🇮🇱🍊🌻 (@FAB87F) August 16, 2024
As this swift and unexpected assault continues, it’s uncertain how or when it will end. However, one thing is clear: this attack is yet another blow to Russia’s pride, a stark reminder that its invasion, which was supposed to last only a few days, has spiraled into a prolonged and costly conflict.
Major Points:
- The border town of Sudzha, Russia, now mirrors the devastation seen in Ukraine, with bodies on the streets, civilian cars riddled with bullets, and significant destruction throughout the town.
- Ukrainian forces launched a surprise assault on Sudzha eleven days ago, leading to President Volodymyr Zelensky claiming control over the town, marking a significant reversal for Russia.
- The streets of Sudzha are mostly deserted, with occasional sounds of small arms fire and distant artillery, while the absence of Russian attack drones and air power hints at a possible improvement in Ukraine’s capabilities.
- Despite the destruction, some residents remain in the town, sheltering in basements, where conditions are grim and reflect the suffering seen in Ukrainian towns over the past two years.
- The unexpected Ukrainian assault is a major blow to Russia’s pride, highlighting the ongoing and costly nature of a war that was initially expected to last only a few days.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
