As Ukrainian forces withdraw from Russia’s Kursk region, soldiers recount a chaotic retreat, logistical challenges, and the political backdrop of US-Russia talks.
This firsthand account from the front lines reveals the risks, strategy miscalculations, and soldiers’ frustration with global diplomacy shaping the war’s future.
Ukrainian soldier Artem Kariakin and his unit made their final escape from Russia’s Kursk region, navigating through the wreckage of burnt-out vehicles while dodging enemy drones. Their withdrawal from Sudzha the largest Russian town Ukraine held—was, in Artem’s words, “chaotic,” as orders to retreat came too late and communication systems failed.
For weeks, Artem Kariakin and his unit had been making daring cross-border operations from Ukraine into Russia’s Kursk region. But just over a week ago, everything changed. Their last mission turned into a frantic retreat, dodging Russian fire and evading enemy drones, as Ukrainian forces were ordered to pull back from Sudzha.
A video captured on a soldier’s phone shows the remnants of their escape—charred military and civilian vehicles lining the roads. A fellow soldier armed with a shotgun stood as their last defense against incoming drones. Suddenly, a Russian drone swooped in, striking the rear of their truck. Sparks flew, but the vehicle kept moving. “We were lucky,” Artem recounts. “The explosive wasn’t strong enough to stop us. Others weren’t so fortunate.”
Ukraine’s withdrawal from Sudzha was far from smooth. Artem admits it was poorly coordinated, with many troops fleeing in disarray. “The order to withdraw came too late,” he explains. “And our Starlink satellite systems—our main means of communication didn’t work inside Russia.” Despite this, he sees Ukraine’s Kursk offensive as a strategic win, forcing Russia to divert troops from the eastern front.
However, the retreat has coincided with diplomatic discussions that Artem finds infuriating. As his unit fought for survival, former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were reportedly discussing an end to the war. “It’s absurd,” Artem says. “Trump wants to fulfill his promise to stop the war, and Putin wants to deceive him to keep it going. I can’t take them seriously.”
For Artem, the idea of negotiations feels like betrayal. His home in Luhansk remains under Russian occupation, and he fears that international deals will come at Ukraine’s expense. “What can I feel when they just want to give away my home?” he asks.
While the withdrawal from Sudzha marks a setback, Ukrainian forces remain active along the border, continuing cross-border raids into Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions. Serhiy, a member of Ukraine’s assault battalion, describes how his team maps Russian defenses, navigating minefields and anti-tank obstacles. “We’re still pushing forward,” he says. “We have to.”
Even in retreat, Ukraine’s fight is far from over. With soldiers like Artem and Serhiy pressing on, and geopolitical forces shaping the war’s trajectory, the battle for Ukraine’s future remains as intense as ever.
