Ukrainian forces are fleeing the strategic region of Kursk after Russia took the city of Sudzha in a lightning offensive. In August, Ukraine launched the first invasion of Russia since World War II, rapidly seizing roughly 386 square miles centered on the city of Sudzha.

Russian officials have predicted the country will swiftly recapture the rest of its western Kursk region from Ukrainian troops, who grabbed a foothold there last August and have clung on for more than seven months in one of the key battles of the war.

Amid Russia’s rapid advance in its western Kursk region, Ukrainian troops have fully withdrawn from Sudzha — the only city they held there. Analysts say Ukraine is conducting an organized retreat and Russian forces are reclaiming territory with little to no resistance.

By Mark Trevelyan (Reuters) -Ukrainian troops appeared on the point of losing their hard-won foothold inside Russia's Kursk region on Wednesday as Moscow claimed further advances there and military bloggers on both sides said Kyiv's forces were withdrawing.