Ukraine advances near Sudzha, forcing Russia to reorganize in Kursk — military expert

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"The situation is both interesting and important. Starting yesterday, January 5, our (Ukrainian - ed.) forces have been conducting offensive operations northeast of Sudzha, using electronic warfare systems for cover. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are making progress moving southeast from Sudzha. But to understand the broader picture, we need to recall what led up to this. Our foothold in the Kursk region has been maintained for six months now. Russian forces continue offensive attempts, specifically targeting Malaya Loknya and Sverdlykovo — our key defensive lines that block their advance to Sudzha," explained the military expert.

According to him, Ukraine’s counteroffensive aims to disorient Russian forces and compel them to reorganize, make new decisions, and adapt.

"The counteroffensive is happening in an unexpected direction, catching them off guard. We'll now watch how the situation in the Kursk region evolves. I believe this move surprised them, though they continue their own offensive efforts toward Malaya Loknya, Sverdlykovo, and Sudzha from the south. Overall, the dynamics are complex, making it hard to declare an advantage for either side in specific areas. But these actions will certainly force a reformatting of Russian forces here," Zgurets concluded.

• On Sunday, January 5, 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched attacks against Russian positions in multiple directions within the Kursk region.
• The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has also reported on the renewed offensive by Ukrainian forces in the area, noting successful advances in at least three directions.