Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Russia’s Kursk region have shared chilling accounts of their retreat, describing it as a scene straight out of a horror movie. These troops detailed their experiences in a “catastrophic” withdrawal under relentless fire, including the destruction of military equipment and constant attacks by swarms of Russian drones.
The media spoke to several Ukrainian soldiers, who recounted the intense challenges they faced during their retreat. Due to Ukrainian travel restrictions, it’s difficult to obtain a comprehensive view of the situation, but five soldiers shared their gripping accounts of what unfolded.
One soldier, identified by the alias “Volodymyr,” explained how panic set in on March 9 as Ukrainian forces attempted to withdraw from Sudzha, the largest town under their control. Volodymyr described columns of troops and equipment being targeted by Russian drones, with some vehicles destroyed on the road. The once-safe route between Sudzha and Ukraine’s Sumy region had become a death trap, heavily monitored by enemy drones.
In a message to the BBC, Volodymyr expressed how the situation quickly escalated. He said that while the route had been passable a month prior, by early March, it was “all under the fire control of the enemy.” Drone attacks were relentless, with soldiers seeing up to three drones overhead within minutes.
As the Ukrainian forces were squeezed on three fronts, the collapse of Sudzha marked a critical moment in the struggle for control of the region. Volodymyr and his comrades were left struggling to escape the overwhelming onslaught from Russian forces.
