Russian forces have regained control of Sudzha, the largest town in the Kursk region captured by the Ukrainian military in its August 2024 cross-border offensive. Regional authorities have announced plans to restore the settlements damaged in the fighting — with the exception of a destroyed grocery store, which the governor wants to leave intact as a “reminder of the occupation.” Residents who spent the last seven months living in areas under Ukrainian control are being evacuated, with officials promising they’ll be able to return “after clean-up operations.” However, not everyone wants to go back, some Sudzha residents who lived through the occupation told the independent journalists’ collective Bereg. Meduza shares photos of Sudzha after the fighting, originally published by Russian state media.
Sudzha. March 15, 2025.
Sudzha. March 15, 2025.
Stanislav Krasilnikov / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia
March 15, 2025
March 15, 2025
Stanislav Krasilnikov / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia
March 15, 2025
March 15, 2025
Stanislav Krasilnikov / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia
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The damaged Pyaterochka grocery store in the village of Zaoleshenka that the regional authorities plan to leave as a “reminder of the occupation.” March 14, 2025.
The damaged Pyaterochka grocery store in the village of Zaoleshenka that the regional authorities plan to leave as a “reminder of the occupation.” March 14, 2025.
Sergey Bobylev / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia
The Pyaterochka grocery store in Zaoleshenka
The Pyaterochka grocery store in Zaoleshenka
Sergey Bobylev / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia
Sudzha. March 14, 2025.
Sudzha. March 14, 2025.
Sergey Bobylev / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia
A Sudzha resident awaiting evacuation. March 15, 2025.
A Sudzha resident awaiting evacuation. March 15, 2025.
Sergey Bobylev / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Profimedia
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