**Russia Intensifies Assault on Ukrainian-Controlled Town of Sudzha**

**A significant escalation in hostilities has ensued as Russia targets the town of Sudzha, previously captured by Ukraine, jeopardizing future peace negotiations.**

Russian forces have launched an extensive assault on Sudzha, the main town in the Kursk region claimed by Ukraine after last year's significant advances. This assault, confirmed by Russian military leaders on Tuesday, represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, marking the potential for Moscow to reclaim territory it has not controlled since the Second World War.

Lt. Gen. Apti Alaudinov, a prominent figure in the Russian military, stated on national television, "We have surrounded Sudzha from nearly all directions." This move echoes a broader strategy to regain territory lost during Ukraine’s unexpected offensive into western Russia last August. As Russian forces close in, the previously optimistic outlook for Ukrainian defensive positions may now hinge precariously on Sudzha.

By February, reports indicated that between 2,000 to 3,000 Russian civilians had fled to Sudzha amidst the mounting violence. Their status now hangs in the balance as the situation unfolds. Analysts, including Ian Matveev from an antiwar faction within Russia, noted that Ukrainian troops have retreated significantly on the eastern front of Sudzha, leading to the possibility of a further retreat towards Ukraine’s western borders.

The fate of Sudzha is poised to become a critical element in determining both military strategy and the future of peace negotiations as the conflict escalates further.