Ukrainian Unit’s Last Incursion into Russian Territory
Until recently, Artem Kariakin and his unit routinely crossed the Ukrainian border into the Russian town of Sudzha.
He shared phone video of their final operation, depicting Ukrainian forces withdrawing from Russia’s Kursk region. The footage shows a path littered with numerous destroyed military and civilian vehicles.
A soldier armed with a shotgun, their last line of defense, surveyed the landscape for Russian drones. Suddenly, a drone approached their truck from behind. Sparks erupted, but they continued their withdrawal.
Artem recounted their fortunate escape, explaining the explosive was too small to disable their vehicle.
Another truck nearby was less lucky, already engulfed in flames.
Chaotic Retreat from Sudzha
Artem acknowledged that Ukraine’s withdrawal from Sudzha, the largest town they controlled in Kursk, was “poorly coordinated.”
“It was quite disorganized,” he stated. “Many units retreated in chaos. I believe the order to pull back was issued too late.”
Compounding the issue, he noted, was the lack of effective communication. The Starlink satellite systems they typically utilized were non-functional within Russia.
Mixed Assessment of Kursk Operation
Despite the retreat, the 27-year-old soldier still considers the Kursk operation a broad success. Artem asserted it compelled Russia to redirect forces from the eastern front. He added that most Ukrainian personnel managed to evacuate, though many had to do so on foot.
However, he critiqued the surprise incursion into Russian territory, launched the previous August, deeming it too deep and logistically vulnerable, as it depended on a single road for supplies and reinforcements.
“Surreal” Trump-Putin Dialogue
While Artem and his unit were retreating under fire, then-US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed potential war resolution by phone. Artem expressed his disbelief, calling it “absurd.”
“These conversations between Trump and Putin appear surreal to me,” he explained. “Trump aims to end the war to fulfill a promise, while Putin seeks to mislead Trump to prolong his military campaign. I struggle to take their discussions seriously.”
Artem, a native of the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, voiced disappointment with the US and Trump. “How should I feel when they are willing to concede my home?” he questioned.
Continuing Cross-Border Raids and Defense
Artem stated he never anticipated Putin would concede Russian territory for occupied Ukrainian regions. Nonetheless, he maintained the Kursk operation was vital for safeguarding Ukraine’s border. Despite the retreat, Ukrainian forces still hold strategic high ground just across the border in Sumy.
Ukraine persists with cross-border incursions, targeting not only Kursk but also Belgorod.
Serhiy’s assault battalion is instrumental in planning these operations, identifying routes through Russian minefields and anti-tank defenses, often referred to as “dragon’s teeth.”
We accompanied Serhiy on a nocturnal mission to locate and retrieve damaged armored vehicles. Nighttime offers the safest window for operations near the Russian border.
Serhiy himself has personal ties to Russia, having been born there. Now holding Belarusian citizenship, he has chosen to fight for Ukraine. He defends Ukraine’s incursions into his former homeland, arguing Russia is also attempting to establish a buffer zone within Ukrainian territory.
Facing Threats Near the Border
Traveling in a Ukrainian-manufactured armored vehicle, Serhiy detailed the imminent threats as they approached within 10km of the Russian border: glide bombs, rockets, artillery, and drones equipped with thermal imaging.
His vehicle is equipped with electronic countermeasures designed to disrupt enemy drones. However, these systems are ineffective against drones guided by fiber optic cables. To counter this threat, Ukraine has deployed netting along certain routes to intercept these drones.
Bradley Armored Vehicle Recovery Mission
The initial objective to locate a damaged US-made Bradley fighting vehicle near the Russian border was aborted due to intelligence indicating nearby Russian drone activity. Serhiy then redirected efforts to locate another disabled Bradley in a less perilous area.
Serhiy and his driver still encountered obstacles, including trees and branches obstructing their path, debris from a recent Russian airstrike. Several distant explosions briefly illuminated the night sky.
Serhiy successfully located the broken-down Bradley. It had already been recovered from the battlefield across the border and was being loaded onto a transport truck for repairs.
The Bradley commander confirmed their unit had engaged in combat within Russia, describing the situation across the border as “challenging, but we are holding our positions.”
Concerns Over US Support and European Capabilities
The Bradley vehicle serves as a stark reminder of Ukraine’s dependence on US military assistance. This support now appears less assured, given Trump’s emphasis on peace negotiations. Serhiy expressed concern about “negotiations happening behind Ukraine’s back.”
When asked if European nations could compensate for a potential reduction in US aid and whether a European “coalition of the willing” could ensure Ukraine’s security, Serhiy was doubtful.
“If America withdraws its support, a ceasefire will likely be agreed upon swiftly, but on terms highly unfavorable to Ukraine,” Serhiy predicted.
“Europe alone is clearly incapable of resolving this conflict. They lack the strength. Their focus has been on economic development rather than security considerations.”
Serhiy reiterated his desire for the war to end. Like many Ukrainians, he aspires to peace, but not at any cost.