Ukrainian troops push back: Tales from the Kursk frontline

- This is not a Russian occupation. We are using their own methods against them and have every right to do so - say, soldiers participating in the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region.

The soldiers, with whom the PAP journalist spoke, are guarding the Junakivka border crossing in the Sumy region, which leads to the part of the Russian Kursk region occupied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

One of the officers described what they found in Sudzha, a small Russian town controlled by the Ukrainians.

- There is really nothing to see there. Road, shop, looters. A Moskal is a Moskal, he steals from himself (…). They stole all the alcohol from the shop; even the children there steal. I was there on the second day after entering the Kursk region. They took the alcohol first, because it's a strategic commodity, currency. I see a 12-year-old boy pushing two trolleys, one with vodka, the other with frozen chickens. He took them, then threw them away, flies were everywhere - he reports.

He adds that not so long ago, the body of a Russian soldier was lying in front of the shop in Sudzha. It's gone now. According to the military, the corpse was taken "for exchange."

When asked how they rate the Russians' defensive capabilities, the Ukrainian military responds that they vary. - It depends on the location and the type of troops. Conscripts, who have no experience, are cannon fodder. They surrender immediately. But there are also professionals. One must not underestimate the enemy, especially since the Russians have significant fighting resources - emphasises one of the soldiers.

And they assure that their entry into Russian territory is not an occupation of that country. - This is not occupation, it is simply a mirror response to their actions. They entered our territory 9 years ago. They took Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk. Why should we not have the right to take the same actions? - asks the soldier.

Source: PAP