Kursk withdrawal: strategic maneuver, not retreat

This week marked the final phase of the troop withdrawal operation from Sudzha, in Kursk region, triggering an intense wave of panic, misinformation, and exaggerated alarmism. Now, we hear narratives such as: "A backroom deal with Putin!", "Sudzha was abandoned in just two days!", "What was the point of all this?", and "The Russians are advancing, and no one can stop them!"

Ukrainian military observer Oleksandr Kovalenko has analyzed the situation.

"I have repeatedly emphasized that during wartime, many should learn to keep their mouths shut instead of speculating on where and when troops should be deployed, withdrawn, or ordered to advance. In that piece, I detailed how harmful it is when certain loud voices aid Russian intelligence by providing additional data for analysis. However, the most damaging effect of such hysteria is that it disrupts one of the most complex maneuvers in military strategy—a controlled withdrawal of troops," Koalenko wrote.

Since the beginning of 2025, a highly complex operation had been unfolding in Kursk region to withdraw troops from high-risk zones, moving them away from the border and deeper into Kursk Oblast. Those who understood this remained silent, while others created unnecessary panic that only harmed the situation.

The reason for this operation was the worsening situation in Kursk region at the end of 2024 and early 2025, as Russian forces gradually secured fire control over Ukrainian logistics. This disrupted supply chains for Ukrainian units positioned on distant frontlines, leaving them without sufficient artillery and FPV drone support. Additionally, the reduction in U.S. military aid and the suspension of intelligence-sharing made this withdrawal inevitable and accelerated its timeline.

What’s most remarkable, however, is that the withdrawal was executed so seamlessly that even the Russian command of the North military grouping and the Russian General Staff only realized what was happening by March. By then, the bulk of Ukrainian equipment and artillery had already been repositioned to more advantageous positions, while rear guards remained to hold the line.

Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed rear-guard battles aimed at slowing Russian advances and allowing remaining Ukrainian forces to retreat with minimal losses. While Russian propaganda has loudly boasted about a successful offensive and Ukraine's supposed retreat, Russian commanders behind closed doors have been forced to acknowledge reality: they failed to encircle or decisively defeat Ukrainian forces and instead ran into a well-executed defensive strategy.

"I am sure this statement will enrage the defeatists and professional doomsayers, but I will say this outright—this week, we witnessed one of the best-executed troop withdrawals in modern military history. Of course, those chasing headlines and scandal will ignore this fact and continue their hysteria, but history will recognize this operation for what it was," Kovalenko concluded.

Overall, the Kursk operation not only held back and exhausted Russian forces on their own territory for seven months, putting Putin in a strategic deadlock, but also laid the groundwork for the next phase.