Russia says it has retaken Sudzha, biggest town in the Kursk region controlled by Ukraine

The New York Post ^ | March 13, 2025 | Ronny Reyes

[Navy Patriot]

Russia has taken back the biggest town in Kursk from Ukrainian soldiers, with President Vladimir Putin warning that Kyiv’s remaining force in the region is now trapped and must “surrender or die.”

He also warned that any Ukrainian forces captured in the Russian territory would be treated as “terrorists” — not as prisoners of war — adding that “foreign mercenaries” aren’t subject to the laws of the Geneva Convention.

Moscow took the town of Sudzha on Thursday and all but erased the massive gains Ukraine made during its surprise incursion last summer, whittling away at Kyiv’s largest bargaining chip in the strained cease-fire talks.

“[Kursk is] completely under our control, and the group that invaded our territory is in isolation,” Putin touted.

“And if a physical blockade occurs in the coming days, then no one will be able to leave at all, there will be only two ways — to surrender or die.”

While Kyiv’s top commander denied earlier this week that Ukraine troops were being encircled around Sudzha, multiple reports emerged throughout the week of Russia taking back settlements surrounding the town.

That same day, the Kremlin claimed it took back three settlements located just north of the town, with the besieged city eventually falling on Wednesday night.

[Navy Patriot]

Sudzha encircled, no quarter, Surrender or Die.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Good thing Ukraine is winning or this could really be bad news for Ziggy.

[Mariner]

Surrender or die.

Followed by...surrender and die because you are a terrorist.

They don’t want anyone to surrender.

[clintonh8r]

Putin’s bulking up before negotiating.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Putin’s bulking up before negotiating.

A 30-day "ceasefire" would just give NATO 30 days to bring in masses of "peacekeepers" and weapons.

[hanamizu]

He also warned that any Ukrainian forces captured in the Russian territory would be treated as “terrorists” — not as prisoners of war

---

So would Ukraine be justified in declaring “Any Russian forces captured in the Ukrainian territory would be treated as “terrorists” — not as prisoners of war?

[Navy Patriot]

They don’t want anyone to surrender.

There aren't reliable sources on numbers, however Russia may want as many surrenders as they can get.

Ukes will inform on other Ukes if they're not dead.

[Navy Patriot]

Anyone can “Declare” anything, as long as they can make it stick.

[Navy Patriot]

Everyone is trying to “bulk up” before negotiating.

[rfp1234]

Some of the encircled troops may be from the 47th armored division, one of their best. Ot the ultranationalist Azov battalion.

However, it's more likely that Zelenskyy and Syrskyi, anticipating a retreat, already removed a few elite brigades from Sudzha and redeployed them around Pokrovsk. That would explain the recent successful UAF counterattacks to retake parts of Pishchane and Shevchenko (two of about a dozen villages that bear the same names).

[Navy Patriot]

That’s what the Zeepers tell me.

[Dr. Franklin]

With the Russians in Sudzha, now the Ukies can level it.

[Navy Patriot]

Thanks for the additional info.

[Navy Patriot]

Great Idea, fortunately, you’ll be backpacking in the bomb necessary.

[FreedomForce]

Would Russia agree to a ceasefire deal that allowed that? I doubt it.

[Darksheare]

Look, examples of Ukraine advancing on all fronts!
/ Sarc

[MotorCityBuck]

Well. Someone that actually follows the ground game.
I see the same thing.
Well done.

[Dr. Franklin]

Great Idea, fortunately, you’ll be backpacking in the bomb necessary.

That's not a comment from a native English speaker. Where did you learn English in Russia?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Would Russia agree to a ceasefire deal that allowed that? I doubt it.

I trust NATO as far as I can throw $350,000,000,000.

[CatHerd]

I was thinking this very thing for awhile now! Glad I wasn’t alone. The writing has been on the wall for awhile now re Kursk.

Yes, the Ukrainians kept feeding more and more of their very best units into the kill box called Kursk (insanely, to my mind). I doubt they sent AZOV or Right Sektor, but it will interesting to find out.