Ukrainian Soldiers' Harrowing Retreat: 'A Horror Movie Unfolding' in Kursk

As Ukrainian forces retreat from Kursk amidst overwhelming Russian drone attacks, soldiers describe a scene reminiscent of a horror film, grappling with heavy losses and chaotic logistics.

Ukrainian soldiers are enduring devastating circumstances as they withdraw from the Kursk region, with vivid accounts revealing the disastrous conditions they have faced. Reports describe the retreat as "like a horror movie," underscoring the disarray caused by persistent drone assaults and destruction of military convoys. In a series of social media accounts—shared under aliases for protection—five soldiers detailed their experiences during this tumultuous period.

One soldier, under the name "Volodymyr," recounted the chaos unfolding on March 9 in Sudzha, which until recently was the largest town held by Ukrainian forces. Describing a state of "panic and collapse," he noted that troops were struggling to evacuate while Russian drones constantly attacked, burning vehicles on the retreat route. The key supply road connecting Sudzha to the Sumy region had fallen under enemy fire control, leaving soldiers reliant on a precarious single route.

As the intensity of the Russian offensive escalated, "Maksym" reported on March 11 that Ukrainian troops had been ordered to abandon their positions in an organized retreat. He highlighted the enormous Russian military presence, which included an estimated 70,000 troops and significant drone resources designed to control logistics and supply lines. "The enemy managed to destroy dozens of units of equipment," he wrote, revealing that wreckages of military vehicles now cluttered the roads, further impeding their movement.

"Anton," who served at the headquarters of the Kursk front, described the ensuing conditions as "catastrophic," with logistical support nearly nonexistent. He successfully escaped Sudzha under cover of darkness, revealing the extreme dangers posed by the ceaseless drone attacks overhead.

Dramatic visuals of destroyed vehicles led "Dmytro" to describe his retreat experience as akin to a nightmare. He narrated how countless soldiers sought to abandon their positions, sometimes on foot, facing attacks from drones that hunted them relentlessly.

Despite the grim circumstances, "Artem" maintained a sliver of optimism from his recovery in a military hospital, reporting that fighting near Loknya had resulted in stiff resistance against Russian advances, suggesting that Ukrainian forces were still making strategic gains.

So far, Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrskyi has emphasized that Ukrainian troops have repositioned themselves to more advantageous locations, asserting that they remain active in Kursk. However, with significant losses of territory and personnel, the consequences of the offensive raise stark questions about the viability of future military strategies in the region. As the situation unfolds, the extent of losses—both during the retreat and throughout the ongoing conflict—continues to provoke concern about Ukraine's military capabilities moving forward.