Ukrainian Soldiers Reflect on Chaotic Retreat from Russian Territory**

As Ukrainian forces retreat from Russia's Kursk region, soldiers share their experiences of disorganization, surprise incursions, and the perplexing nature of international diplomacy amid ongoing conflict.**

In a scene filled with urgency and tension, Artem Kariakin and his unit recount their recent experiences as they fled from Sudzha, a town in Russia’s Kursk region that Ukraine had held. Until just over a week ago, these soldiers regularly crossed over to Russian territory. Holding a smartphone, Artem shows me video footage of their last journey, where they navigated through remnants of warfare, including charred military vehicles.

With a shotgun as their sole line of defense, one soldier keeps a lookout for potential aerial assaults. A sudden appearance of a drone sends sparks flying as they continue their arduous escape, narrowly avoiding destruction. Not all vehicles were as fortunate; another truck lay in flames from effective enemy fire.

Artem candidly discusses the disorganization that marked Ukraine’s withdrawal from Sudzha, admitting, “It was pretty chaotic. Many units left in disarray.” He speculates that the chaos stemmed from late withdrawal orders and a lack of effective communication, as their usual Starlink systems failed inside Russian territory.

Despite the difficulties, Artem believes the operation was strategically significant, having compelled Russia to redirect its forces from the eastern front. Many Ukrainian troops managed to escape, albeit on foot, which reveals the harrowing decisions made during wartime.

Meanwhile, global leaders like former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were engaged in discussions to find resolution to the conflict. This juxtaposition seems absurd to Artem: “Trump wants to end the war while Putin deceives him to prolong it. I can't take their conversations seriously,” he states, revealing his frustration towards Western leaders and their seemingly cavalier approach to his homeland.

Artem’s skepticism heightens when considering Putin’s willingness to negotiate over occupied territories. Instead, he asserts that Ukraine's military incursions served to protect their borders, maintaining a foothold just over the border from Sumy.

Serhiy, another soldier, shares insights on ongoing cross-border operations, asserting that Ukrainian forces continue to conduct raids into Russian regions such as Belgorod. Having been born in Russia, Serhiy now fights for Ukraine, emphasizing a compelling perspective: “Russia is trying to create a buffer zone within Ukrainian territory.”

Navigating perilous terrain in a Ukrainian-made armored vehicle, Serhiy remains acutely aware of the threats posed by glide bombs, rockets, artillery, and drones. Electronic countermeasures in his vehicle serve as defenses, but they are limited against more advanced enemy technologies.

On a nighttime mission, his team seeks to recover broken armor while avoiding detection. Along the route, remnants of conflict, such as fallen branches from recent strikes, illustrate the constant danger they face.

Eventually, they locate a damaged Bradley armored vehicle. Confirmation from its commander reveals ongoing skirmishes across the border: “Difficult situations, but we're holding on.”

This Bradley becomes a testament to Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. support, a dynamic that feels uncertain with the current political landscape. Serhiy perceives troubling signs that negotiations may be happening without Ukraine’s involvement. He expresses grave concerns that without U.S. assistance, a ceasefire might be reached on unfavorable terms for Ukraine.

He ultimately seeks a resolution to the conflict but stresses that peace must not come at an unacceptable cost. With the cries for security heard loud and clear, Serhiy reflects on Ukraine’s place in the broader geopolitical theater, questioning Europe’s capability to stand alone against Russian aggression.