Ukrainian Soldiers Share Harrowing Accounts of Retreat from Kursk

Ukrainian soldiers describe catastrophic conditions and heavy losses as they pull back from Kursk, revealing the dire impact of the Russian forces' renewed offensives.

In a heartbreaking account from the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers retreating from the Kursk region have painted a grim picture of their experiences, likening the harrowing retreat to a "horror movie." The soldiers, who spoke anonymously via social media, detail the chaos and devastation as they evaded encroaching Russian forces and drone attacks.

Volodymyr, one of the soldiers, described the panic that erupted in Sudzha, the largest town under Ukrainian control, as on March 9, he reported columns of troops struggling to escape under relentless drone strikes. He noted that the once-reliable road to the Sumy region was now under enemy fire, turning their retreat into a perilous endeavor. “Drones are around the clock,” he said, adding that the command's assumptions of a safe escape route had proven to be tragically naive.

By March 11, the situation had deteriorated further. Maksym reported that hundreds of Russian troops, including reinforcements from North Korea, had amassed to reclaim the region, overwhelming Ukrainian defenses. “The enemy managed to destroy dozens of units of equipment,” he noted, with wreckage blocking crucial supply routes and hampering their organized retreat.

Amidst the chaos, Anton, stationed at the Kursk front headquarters, shared the catastrophe unfolding around him. He highlighted the loss of logistical support, stating that basic supplies like ammunition and food could no longer reach the frontline. “From a military point of view, the Kursk direction has exhausted itself,” he admitted, emphasizing the terms of their retreat under constant drone surveillance.

As the situation grew dire, Dmytro, another soldier, vividly recounted the scene, filled with destroyed vehicles and the wounded. He described how a drone nearly struck him and his squad as they attempted to dislodge their stalled vehicle. He lamented, “Everything is finished in the Kursk region,” suggesting a staggering death toll for Ukrainian forces since they had entered Russian territory in August last year.

Yet, not all soldiers felt defeated. Artem, receiving treatment for injuries sustained during a drone attack, expressed a semblance of hope, citing their fierce resistance near Loknya and the strategic buffer it created to slow Russian advancements.

Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrskyi remains adamant that Ukrainian forces have regrouped to more defensible positions in the Kursk region and highlights significant Russian losses. However, the overall assessment reveals that Ukraine has lost a substantial portion of the territory it once held. President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that the initial objectives of the Kursk operation were met, but the cost remains painfully unclear. As the battle rages on, the fates of both soldiers and civilians in the region hang in the balance.