Ukraine's Chaotic Retreat: Soldiers Share Their Experience from the Frontlines

Artem Kariakin and his unit reveal the challenges they faced while retreating from Sudzha, highlighting communication failures and the complexities of cross-border operations.

Until just last week, Artem Kariakin and his unit regularly crossed the border into the Russian town of Sudzha, but now they find themselves recounting memories of a chaotic withdrawal from Russia's Kursk region. Captured on his phone, their last trip back shows burnt vehicles littering the road, a stark reminder of their desperate escape. A soldier, armed with a shotgun, anxiously scans for Russian drones as they traverse the uncertain terrain. Though they narrowly avoid destruction as one drone passes overhead, not all were as fortunate.

Artem frankly admits that the retreat from Sudzha, the largest Ukrainian-held town in Kursk, was anything but orderly. "It was pretty chaotic," he reflects, suggesting that the timing of the withdrawal order was poorly executed. Compounding the issue was a failure in communication systems, with Starlink satellite technology going offline as they crossed into Russia.

Despite the turmoil of their retreat, Artem considers the overall Kursk offensive a qualified success, as it successfully diverted Russian forces. However, he critiques the depth and supply issues of the original incursion, which began last August, expressing that they relied too heavily on a single main road.

Simultaneously, world leaders like US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were engaged in discussions aimed at potentially ending the war. "It's surreal," Artem admits, questioning the sincerity behind their conversations. "What can I feel when they just want to give away my home?"

Continuing military activities, Ukraine remains active in cross-border raids, with some soldiers like Serhiy engaging in planning tactical strikes into Russian territory. He understands the risks firsthand, having been born in Russia but choosing to fight for Ukraine. Serhiy explains that the conflict has shifted tactics, with Ukraine developing ways to navigate minefields and overcoming obstacles to conduct operations even as threats loom from glide bombs and drones, which have become increasingly sophisticated.

While searching for a broken-down US-made Bradley armoured vehicle, Serhiy and his crew navigate dangerous terrain, only to be informed of imminent threats from Russian drones. Eventually locating the Bradley, now removed from the battlefield, it's a reminder of Ukraine's reliance on Western military support, which feels precarious given Trump’s diplomatic overtures.

When asked if European nations could step up, Serhiy responds doubtfully, "Europe can't resolve this conflict alone; they're focused on internal economies, not security." He yearns for peace like many Ukrainians, but insists it cannot come at any cost, underscoring the fragility of their situation amidst an uncertain geopolitical landscape.