As Ukraine's offensive last year briefly crossed into Russia, particularly affecting the town of Sudzha in Kursk Province, the area has since transformed into a somber symbol of conflict. Russian forces have regained control, returning the region to its troubled history marked by relentless fighting and devastation.
Following the onset of hostilities, tens of thousands of residents fled the area. However, several thousand remained behind, enduring not only military confrontations but also the harsh Russian winter with limited access to heat and essential supplies. Although some of these individuals have recently been evacuated, others did not survive the ordeal.
The regional authorities reported that over 300 civilians lost their lives during the conflict, with almost 600 still unaccounted for. The situation remains unverified from independent sources but is echoed by testimonials from Sudzha residents, many of whom have participated in burying neighbors who succumbed to the violence.
The landscape, both heartbreaking and grim, reveals a mixture of destroyed homes, abandoned livestock, and bodies—both military and civilian—scattered across fields. As I visited in March, the scene was strikingly a reflection of the war's brutality, with many bodies having lain unrecovered for months, creating an eerily silent testament to the violence that enveloped the community.
Despite the urgent need for rebuilding and the recovery of lives, the region's prospects remain bleak. The lingering question for those who survived is whether they will ever be able to return to pre-war normalcy, as the scars of conflict may take years to heal, if they can heal at all.
