Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that the Ukrainian military has successfully secured full control of the town of Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk region, situated near the border with Ukraine. Sudzha, with a population of approximately 5,000 before the Ukrainian incursion started on August 6, is located around 10 kilometers (approximately 6 miles) from the Ukrainian border and serves as the focal point of a district bearing the same name.

Established in the 17th century amidst conflicts between Russia and Poland, Sudzha prospered in the 19th century for its ceramics production. The town endured significant destruction during World War II from battles with invading Nazi forces but was eventually reconstructed from the ruins. Despite its historical significance, Sudzha has a strategic role due to a metering station located in its district, critical for transmitting natural gas from West Siberian gas fields to Europe via Ukraine.

Despite facing minimal opposition from lightly-armed border guards and infantry units, Ukrainian forces swiftly advanced into Sudzha shortly after launching the incursion on August 6. Although encountering some resistance within the town, Ukrainian troops persevered until Thursday when Zelenskyy declared their complete control over Sudzha. In response, Ukrainian authorities have established a military command center in Sudzha to facilitate coordination of operations in the region.