When Ukraine turned a corner of Russia’s Kursk region into a battlefield, it set in motion some of the war’s fiercest fighting. Our photographer documented the aftermath.Last year, Ukraine’s invasion of western Russia resulted in a devastating battle that left a once peaceful corner of the country in ruins. The province of Kursk, which was caught in the crossfire, is now a desolate and deadly place.
After months of intense fighting, Russian forces have regained control of Kursk Province, where entire villages have been flattened. Tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes, but a few thousand were left stranded. Some have since been evacuated, but many did not survive.
For those who remain, the future is uncertain. Many are waiting to see if their homes can be rebuilt, but it may be years before they can return to their former lives. The landscape of Kursk Province is now a stark reminder of the destruction and loss caused by the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
The New York Times reports that the town of Sudzha, located near the border and home to a transit station for a natural gas pipeline, was quickly overrun by Ukrainian forces during the invasion. The surrounding countryside, dotted with small villages, was also held by Ukrainian troops.
Civilians trapped in this area endured months of intense fighting, including bombardment by the Russian military. They also faced a harsh winter with limited access to basic necessities such as heating and medicine.
According to the regional governor, more than 300 civilians were killed during this time, with nearly 600 still missing. These numbers cannot be independently verified, but many residents of Sudzha have reported burying at least a dozen of their neighbors. Some claim to have buried as many as 40 or more.
In addition to the lives lost, there were also many unburied bodies left behind. When a reporter from The New York Times visited the area in March, they found fields scattered with the carcasses of cows and pigs, as well as the bodies of civilians and soldiers. Most of the uniforms seen among the fallen were Russian.
Amid the destruction of homes and buildings, there were also decomposing bodies that had been left untouched for months, their cause of death unknown.
The New York Times also shared a video of a Russian soldier walking through the destroyed village of Martynovka, highlighting the devastation and loss caused by the conflict.
As of now, the situation in Kursk Province remains dire. The New York Times urges readers to subscribe for full access to their reporting on this ongoing crisis.
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