According to the Wall Street Journal, Ukrainian units have been forced in recent days to find an escape route through forest, swamp and areas at risk of being mined.
Many Ukrainian soldiers recounted that they had to retreat from Russia's Kursk region by road after the Russian army took control of the supply routes. They move in severe shortages of water and food, with very few supply vehicles being able to access the frontline due to the heavy presence of Russian UAVs. Many Ukrainian soldiers had to melt snow for drinking water, while ammunition was depleted.
When arriving at the Ukrainian border, the survivors face a harsh reality. Many people were seriously injured after walking more than 30km, some trampled on flower mines - a type of weapon that is difficult to detect. A medical worker said: Most people who step on this mine have lost their legs.
Although Ukraine claimed that Russia's Kursk area offensive had significantly consumed Russian forces, many soldiers thought the withdrawal was too late, leading to unnecessary losses.
The Kursk operation attracted attention when it marked the first time since World War II that part of Russia's territory was controlled by foreign forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the campaign's goal was to surprise Russia, lure enemy forces off key battlefields and arrest hundreds of prisoners. However, many military experts question the real strategic value, saying that the loss of human resources and equipment is too great.
By the end of February 2025, the situation became serious when the Russian army controlled routes from Ukraine to the Kursk region. Russian optical cable-powered UAVs, which cannot be electronically affected, make any movement on the ground extremely dangerous.
