Fantastic Russian operation leads to end of Kursk incursion.

SUDZHA SURROUNDED, UKRAINIANS TRAPPED

KURSK OFFENSIVE ON LAST LEGS

In August 2024, Ukraine began an incursion into the Kursk region of the Russian federation, they quickly captured a large area in the region and fortified it in an effort to use it as beginning chip in any negotiations with Russia. There were attempts to trade for the large nuclear plant in Zaporizhia, but no negotiations ever happened. It was also suggested that it could be traded for areas occupied by Russia in eastern Ukraine.

It took Russia some time to bring in reserves to contest the area that was initially lightly defended because of its geographical location. Eventually Russia began taking back territory incrementally, which seems to be the Russian policy. It took them 6 months to get within armillary range of Ukrainian supply routes and retake 2/3 of the contested territory.

Then last week the Russian consummated an operation that was in the works for several months. They opened a gas pipeline and vacuumed, as much as possible, the natural gas out of the line, then filled it with oxygen. The pipeline was coated with an oily residue and gas fumes that caused illness in many of the troops. The pipeline was over 9 miles long, 4 1/2 ft in diameter and underground. It was a potential grave for all those who entered.

The troops entered the pipeline and waited near 4 days for the command to exit and attack near the center of the city of Sudzha the main stronghold of the Ukraine incursion. 800 troops soon exited this pipeline and began an offensive in the rear of the combat lines of the Ukrainians. They carried all of their ammunition, weapons and other supplies, a fantastic operation.

Simultaneously other Russian troops attacked from the outside perimeter causing confusion and an impossible situation for the Ukrainians. Many were killed and a large number surrendered. They also attempted to evacuate to the south and west and the Russians blew up the bridges to make it impossible to retreat with their motorized equipment. 

As of today, Ukraine has lost about 2/3 of the area they held just last week, their supply lines and retreat roads are now within close range of Russian artillery and drones. It is indeed a dire situation for those trapped in this area, an estimated 8 to 10,000 men. 

Ukraine may be hoping to send in reinforcements to help them escape or cause another attack nearby to distract, but it is very unlikely that this will end well for Ukraine.