Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Russia’s Kursk region have shared harrowing accounts of their Ukrainian retreat from Kursk, describing scenes “like a horror movie” as they were forced to withdraw under heavy Russian drone attacks and artillery fire. The retreat, marked by chaos and destruction, has been described as catastrophic, with Ukrainian forces struggling to escape Russian control of the area.
Ukrainian Forces Struggle to Hold Kursk
The BBC has received detailed testimonies from Ukrainian soldiers who have been on the front lines in Kursk. They revealed the catastrophic conditions under which they withdrew from the region, facing continuous fire, destroyed military equipment, and overwhelming Russian UAVs.
Ukraine’s position in Kursk was dire after the loss of Sudzha, the largest town under Ukrainian control since August 2024. Ukrainian soldier Volodymyr, speaking on March 9, described the retreat from Sudzha as a chaotic “collapse of the front.” He mentioned that Ukrainian forces were trying to evacuate in columns of soldiers and military vehicles, but Russian drones relentlessly attacked the columns, burning vehicles on the road and making daytime retreats nearly impossible.
“By March 9, the Sudzha-Sumy highway was completely under Russian fire control,” Volodymyr said. “In one minute, you could see two or three UAVs. That’s a huge number.”
The highway was crucial for Ukraine’s logistics, connecting Sudzha to the Sumy region in Ukraine. As the retreat continued, it became clear that Russian forces had cut off this vital supply route, leaving Ukrainian soldiers stranded under constant attack. Russia had mobilized a large force, including 70,000 troops, to retake control of Kursk.
Russian Drones: Game Changer in Kursk
The use of Russian drones was pivotal in the Russian forces’ success. According to Ukrainian soldier Anton, Russia’s deployment of UAVs turned the tide in the Kursk battle. “We used to have an advantage in UAVs, but not anymore,” Anton said, highlighting the effectiveness of Russian drones in controlling key logistics routes.
Russia’s UAV units, including suicide UAVs and FPV UAVs, gained significant control over the battlefield. These drones were capable of precise strikes and had the advantage of being linked to their operators via fiber-optic cables, which could not be jammed by electronic warfare measures. The constant barrage of drone attacks destroyed dozens of units of Ukrainian military equipment, blocking supply lines and further hindering their retreat.
“Logistics were no longer working,” Anton explained. “It was impossible to organize the transport of weapons, ammunition, food, and water.”
Retreat Under Fire: Soldiers Share Their Experiences
Soldier Dmytro, in a March 11-12 social media post, described the retreat as “catastrophic,” likening it to a “scene from a horror movie.” He said that the streets were littered with destroyed vehicles, including cars, armored vehicles, and ATVs. The death toll among Ukrainian forces was high, and many soldiers were forced to retreat on foot, covering distances of 15-20 km to escape Russian fire. Some soldiers barely escaped drone strikes, like Dmytro, whose car was attacked by an FPV UAV while attempting to push it free from a blockade.
“We almost died many times. Drones were always hovering in the sky,” Dmytro recalled. Despite the chaos, the retreating soldiers had to hide in the woods for hours before being rescued.
On March 14, Dmytro wrote, “It’s all over at Kursk… The operation was unsuccessful.” His grim prediction reflected the reality of the situation, with thousands of Ukrainian soldiers believed to have perished since crossing into Russia in August 2024.
Optimism Amid Chaos: Soldier Artem’s Perspective
However, not all soldiers shared such pessimistic views. Soldier Artem took a slightly more optimistic tone, recognizing the challenges but also highlighting some success in the Ukrainian effort. “The important thing is that so far the Armed Forces of Ukraine have created a buffer zone, thanks to which Russia cannot enter Sumy,” he said. Despite the retreat, Artem believes the Ukrainian forces have prevented further Russian advancement into critical territories.
Ukrainian Retreat from Kursk: Soldiers’ Harrowing Accounts of the Withdrawal
Ukrainian soldiers have shared first-hand stories of their Ukrainian retreat from Kursk, describing the chaos and devastation they faced while fleeing Russian advances.
Russian Drones and the Ukrainian Retreat from Kursk: A Game-Changer on the Front Lines
The use of Russian UAVs played a pivotal role in the Ukrainian retreat from Kursk, hindering Ukraine’s military efforts and devastating supply lines.
Impact of the Ukrainian Retreat from Kursk: Strategic Losses and the Road Ahead
As Ukrainian forces continue their retreat from Kursk, military experts analyze the long-term effects of this retreat on Ukraine’s defensive strategy.
The Future of Kursk and Ukraine’s Defense Strategy
As Ukrainian forces continue to struggle in Kursk, military experts estimate that Russia has mobilized significant resources to retake the area, including approximately 70,000 troops and its most elite drone units. This heavy concentration of Russian forces has had a dramatic impact on Ukrainian supply chains and logistics.
Ukraine’s struggle in Kursk represents the high stakes in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. The battle for Kursk, with its heavy reliance on drone warfare, cutting-edge military technology, and key logistics routes, could determine the course of the war in the region.
As the Ukrainian retreat from Kursk unfolded, the battle for control of this critical region intensified. Russian drones played a decisive role in this conflict, drastically affecting Ukrainian logistics and strategy. According to BBC News, Ukraine’s loss of Sudzha was one of the turning points in the region, cutting off vital supply lines and paving the way for the Russian advance.
