Ukraine has claimed full control of a Russian town, marking its first significant success in a surprise offensive into Moscow’s territory. The town of Sudzha, located in Russia’s Kursk region, could be a strategic gain for Ukraine.
Although Kyiv hasn’t officially revealed its objectives with this incursion into Russian land, many analysts believe Ukraine is aiming to use these territorial advances as leverage to reclaim its own land. Sudzha’s capture is particularly notable because of its proximity to a crucial Russian gas terminal that supplies fuel to Europe. This terminal is a key point for Russian gas exports, and its control could have serious financial implications for Russia, as nearly half of all Russian gas exports pass through this area.
The gas from Sudzha is transported through Ukraine, thanks to a five-year agreement made in 2019 between Kyiv and Moscow. This deal allowed Russian natural gas to transit through Ukraine and reach Europe. While Kyiv has indicated it has no intention of renewing this contract, Russian state media reports that Moscow plans to continue its exports. With only one other pipeline, the Turkstream line, currently operational, the Sudzha pipeline remains crucial. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement—Russian gas operator Gazprom profits from the exports, and Kyiv earns transit fees for facilitating the transport.
The incursion into the Kursk region may also be part of a broader strategy by Kyiv to create a “buffer zone” along the border. This zone could prevent some Russian troops from entering Ukraine, though it’s still unclear how much territory Kyiv intends to capture or how long it plans to hold it. This unexpected move has shaken some of Russia’s narratives about the war. As reported by The Guardian, Andrei Fedorov, a former Russian deputy foreign minister, criticized the “constant lies” from the Russian side about the Ukrainian army’s supposed weakness.