SUDZHA AREA/KURSK REGION: CONTINUED REPORTS OF RUSSIAN ADVANCES, UKRAINIAN WITHDRAWALS, AND ENCIRCLEMENT THREAT (EXTREME PRIORITY, REPORTED, MULTIPLE SOURCES):
- Операция Z: Военкоры Русской Весны (15:36 UTC): Claims Russian forces have CLEARED the SUBURB OF MIRNY and LIBERATED the village of 2ND KNYAZHY, both near SUDZHA. States that FIGHTING IS ONGOING on the OUTSKIRTS OF SUDZHA and that RUSSIAN FORCES ARE SQUEEZING THE TOWN. Provides a map.
- Басурин о главном (15:26 UTC): Provides a video of the RUSSIAN FLAG being RAISED in ZAMOSTYE, claiming it as evidence of RUSSIAN CONTROL. Claims Ukrainian forces are FLEEING SUDZHA towards the border and that Russian forces have entered the town. Asserts that MOST OF SUDZHA WILL BE UNDER RUSSIAN CONTROL TODAY. Claims USPENOVKA, MAKHOVKA, ZAMOSTYE, and DMITRYUKOV have been LIBERATED. Suggests a potential ENCIRCLEMENT of Ukrainian forces south of Sudzha. Claims WESTERN MEDIA has ACKNOWLEDGED the Ukrainian retreat. Mentions a supposed deadline of May 9th for Russian forces to liberate Kursk Oblast.
- АРХАНГЕЛ СПЕЦНАЗА (15:53 UTC): Claims Ukrainian forces in Sudzha are in a dire situation, with the LIBERATION OF THE TOWN being a "matter of time." Claims Russian forces have taken key strongpoints on the outskirts, preventing a long defense. States that Ukrainian units are retreating in a chaotic manner.
- Рыбарь (15:55 UTC): Reports Russian forces have "cleaned up" the remnants of KAZACHYA LOKNYA and taken control of 1ST AND 2ND KNYAZHY. Claims Russian forces have reached the outskirts of ZAOLESHENKA north of Sudzha. States that fighting is ongoing WITHIN SUDZHA and that Ukrainian forces may have withdrawn most of their forces. Claims Ukrainian forces are trying to hold the GOGOLEVKA-OLESHNYA line to evacuate equipment, using Territorial Defense units as a "living shield."
- ТАСС (16:00 UTC): Reports that Russian forces have ALMOST COMPLETELY SURROUNDED SUDZHA, citing Alaudinov.
- ЦАПЛІЄНКО_UKRAINE FIGHTS (15:53 UTC): Reports FIGHTING ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SUDZHA, stating the town is under UKRAINIAN CONTROL. Claims Russian attempts to cut off Ukrainian forces from the border have been REPELLED, but that the enemy is creating threats to individual positions. Reports 23 combat clashes in the Kursk direction, 14 ongoing, with 3 airstrikes and 167 artillery strikes.
- Assessment: The situation in the SUDZHA AREA has DRAMATICALLY WORSENED for UKRAINE. Multiple RUSSIAN SOURCES, including TASS and claims made by ALAUDINOV, are reporting a NEAR-TOTAL ENCIRCLEMENT of SUDZHA and SIGNIFICANT RUSSIAN ADVANCES. While UKRAINIAN SOURCES acknowledge FIGHTING ON THE OUTSKIRTS, they CONTRADICT claims of a COMPLETE RUSSIAN TAKEOVER. The CONVERGENCE OF RUSSIAN REPORTS on SPECIFIC VILLAGE CAPTURES (MIRNY, 2ND KNYAZHY, ZAMOSTYE) and ADVANCES TOWARDS ZAOLESHENKA lends SIGNIFICANT CREDIBILITY to the claims of a MAJOR RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE. The THREAT OF ENCIRCLEMENT is EXTREMELY HIGH and REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION. The CLAIM OF FIGHTING WITHIN SUDZHA from MULTIPLE SOURCES is a CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT. The UKRAINIAN ADMISSION of 23 COMBAT CLASHES, AIRSTRIKES, AND HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE CONFIRMS THE INTENSITY OF THE FIGHTING.
POKROVSK DIRECTION: CONTINUED FIGHTING, CONFLICTING CLAIMS (HIGH PRIORITY, REPORTED, MULTIPLE SOURCES):
- Сливочный каприз (15:16 UTC): Claims UKRAINIAN FORCES CONDUCTED A TANK ATTACK east of MALINOVKA, with a FIRE RAID on RUSSIAN POSITIONS south of the KRASNOARMEYSK-KONSTANTINOVKA HIGHWAY. Claims UKRAINIAN CONTROL expanded by APPROXIMATELY 1 KM. Provides coordinates.
- Colonelcassad (15:23 UTC): Reports INTENSE FIGHTING on the POKROVSK DIRECTION, with RUSSIAN FORCES CONDUCTING ASSAULTS and STABILIZING DEFENSES. Provides a detailed breakdown of fighting in specific areas:
- UDACHNOYE: Claims LIMITED UKRAINIAN ADVANCES were HALTED by RUSSIAN DEFENSES.
- KOTLINO: Claims POSITIONAL FIGHTING with UKRAINIAN FORCES using ARTILLERY AND MORTARS.
- PESCHANOYE: Claims FIGHTING in the SOUTHWEST of the village and in the INDUSTRIAL ZONE.
- SHEVCHENKO: Claims RUSSIAN FORCES REPULSED a UKRAINIAN ATTACK, preventing UKRAINIAN ADVANCE.
- NOVY TRUD AND ZELENOYE: Claims RUSSIAN FORCES have a TACTICAL ADVANTAGE and are ADVANCING TOWARDS CHUNISHINO.
- TARASOVKA: Claims RUSSIAN FORCES are ASSAULTING UKRAINIAN POSITIONS in the SOUTH.