In a significant development in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, Ukrainian forces have reportedly gained control of a strategic location within Russian territory. A video circulating on Ukrainian media platforms depicts Ukrainian soldiers inside a Gazprom-branded building in Sudzha, a town in Russia's Kursk region, approximately 10 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
The footage, lasting 29 seconds, shows Ukrainian military personnel claiming control over both the Gazprom gas measuring facility and the town of Sudzha itself. A soldier in the video states, "The town is controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the town is calm, all buildings are intact."
This incident marks the first reported instance of Ukrainian forces demonstrating control on Russian soil since the conflict's escalation in February 2022. The operation appears to have begun around August 4, 2024, with Russian authorities reporting a Ukrainian military incursion in the Kursk region over the past four days.
The Ukrainian soldiers in the video identify themselves as members of the 99th mechanized battalion of the 61st separate steppe brigade. This brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, which have undergone significant modernization and reform since 2014 when the conflict with Russia began.
Notably, both the Ukrainian military and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have maintained a policy of strict silence regarding this cross-border operation. This approach aligns with Ukraine's broader strategy of not officially commenting on operations within Russian territory.
The Kursk region, known for its significant iron ore deposits, has historical significance as the site of a major tank battle during World War II. Its proximity to Ukraine's Sumy Oblast makes it a strategically important area in the current conflict.
Gazprom, the largest publicly-listed natural gas company globally and Russia's biggest company by revenue, operates the world's most extensive natural gas pipeline network. The gas measuring facility in Sudzha plays a crucial role in monitoring gas flow between countries, adding to the strategic importance of this reported Ukrainian control.
As the situation continues to develop, the international community watches closely. The phrase "peaceful sky," used by the Ukrainian soldier in the video, reflects a common Ukrainian expression often invoked during wartime, underscoring the ongoing desire for peace amidst the conflict.
"The strategic Gazprom facility is under the control of the 99th mechanised battalion of the 61st separate steppe brigade. Wishing everyone a peaceful sky."
While Reuters has not independently verified the video's authenticity, this event, if confirmed, could mark a significant shift in the dynamics of the Russo-Ukrainian War. As Ukraine defends its territory against Russian aggression, which began in 2014, such cross-border incursions add a new dimension to the ongoing conflict.