**Ukrainian Soldiers Describe Horror Scenes as They Flee Russian Front**
Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Russia’s Kursk region have described the scenes they witnessed as they retreated from the front lines. The BBC has received accounts from Ukrainian troops, who spoke of a “catastrophic” withdrawal in the face of heavy fire and constant attacks from Russian drones.
**Soldiers Describe Horror Scenes**
The soldiers, who were given aliases to protect their identity, described the situation on the ground. Volodymyr said that on March 9, the road between Sudzha and Ukraine‘s Sumy region was under constant drone attack. “Drones around the clock,” he said. “In one minute you can see two to three drones.” Maksym said that Russian forces had amassed a significant force, including North Korean soldiers, to retake the town.
**Retreat from Sudzha**
The situation on the ground was dire. Maksym described columns of troops and equipment being destroyed by Russian drones. “It is impossible to leave during the day,” he said. Anton, who served in the headquarters for the Kursk front, described the retreat as “catastrophic.” He said that supply routes had been cut, and logistics were no longer possible.
**Loss of Territory**
Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, insists that Ukrainian forces have pulled back to “more favourable positions,” but military analysts estimate that two-thirds of the 1,000 sq/km gained at the outset have since been lost. The situation now is very different from last August when Ukraine first launched its offensive.
**Cost of the Operation**
The cost of the operation is not yet clear. President Volodymyr Zelensky said he believed the Kursk operation had “accomplished its task” by forcing Russia to pull troops from the east and relieve pressure on Pokrovsk. However, it is unclear at what cost.
**What’s Next?**
The BBC has learned that Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, insists that Ukrainian forces will remain in Kursk for as long as it is expedient and necessary. However, the situation now is very different from last August when Ukraine first launched its offensive.