Fear and Confusion Grip Kursk as Ukraine Advances and Russian Residents Seek Shelter
In the once tranquil town of Sudzha, Kursk, a scene of devastation has unfolded that mirrors the war-torn landscapes of Ukraine, a sight previously unknown to Russia. The streets are now marked by the grim aftermath of conflict—decomposing bodies, bullet-riddled civilian vehicles, and damaged monuments, such as Lenin’s statue with half of his face blown away. Buildings are in ruins, and the air is thick with the stench of death.
This chaos is a stark contrast to the serene fields once protected by Russia’s Cold War-era defenses, which had not seen such destruction since World War II. Just eleven days ago, Sudzha was struck by a fierce Ukrainian assault. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that the town is now under their control. This development is a shocking reversal for Russia, which did not anticipate facing such a direct invasion when President Vladimir Putin launched his war of choice two years ago.
CNN, accompanied by the Ukrainian military, ventured into Russia through a border post devastated by an earlier Ukrainian attack. The once peaceful landscape is now marred by the black smoke of ongoing explosions, yet the road remains eerily quiet. A large Orthodox Christian cross marks the turnoff into Sudzha, standing near the wreckage of tanks from recent intense battles.
The streets of Sudzha, though mostly deserted, resonate with the sounds of distant conflict. Ukrainian forces, preoccupied with frontline battles, have left the area relatively free from the drone attacks and aerial assaults that have plagued Kyiv’s forces in recent months. The presence of Western-supplied armored vehicles suggests a significant allocation of resources, indicating a strategic enhancement in Ukraine’s capabilities for this surprise offensive.
Despite the turmoil, Sudzha is not entirely empty. At one building, a handwritten sign outside the basement entrance reads, “Here are peaceful people in the basement, no military.” Inna, a 68-year-old resident, described the situation inside. Sixty civilians huddle in the basement, relying on supplies brought by Ukrainian forces.
The scene in the basement reflects the grim reality faced by many Ukrainians in similar situations, now experienced by Russians. Stanislav, a resident, expressed his despair, stating, “See, this is not life. It is existing. It is not life.” The basement’s dim, damp environment houses the elderly and infirm, including a woman in a summer dress who laments her uncertain future. “I don’t know how it will end,” she says, her voice tinged with fear.
Among those sheltering is Yefimov, a man in his 90s whose family lives in Ukraine. He expresses a desire to flee there but faces the daunting prospect of evacuation. On the streets, Nina, 74, searches for medication amidst the wreckage of closed shops and pharmacies. Despite the destruction, she remains resolute in her refusal to leave, clinging to her right to stay in the place she has called home for decades.
The outcome of this rapid and unexpected assault remains uncertain. As Russian forces scramble to respond, they are confronted with the sobering reality of a conflict that was intended to be brief but has now deeply affected Russia’s sense of invulnerability.
