Russian forces have managed to retake the city of Sudzha, previously under Ukrainian control in August, according to the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. This action is part of the final military operation aimed at reclaiming that territory, as communicated by Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson. President Vladimir Putin visited a command post in the Kursk region, where he was informed that Russian forces are close to liberating the territory from the Ukrainian armed forces.
Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, mentioned that Ukrainian troops in Kursk have been encircled and are being systematically eliminated since the offensive they initiated last August. For its part, Europe reaffirmed its support for Ukraine through a meeting of the defense ministers of Germany, Italy, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom in Paris. In a joint statement, they agreed to strengthen European backing for peace in Ukraine, including accelerating cooperation projects in the defense industry with that country.
During the joint press conference, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu emphasized that the defense capability of the Ukrainian Army is crucial for the long-term security of Kiev. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto underscored that Ukraine will need to have the capacity to defend itself to ensure its future. The ministers also agreed to strengthen their common approach to European defense within the EU and NATO, maintaining a strong transatlantic link and contributing more to the deterrence and defense of the continent as expressed in their joint statement.
