Ukrainian roots in Kursk: a town under Kyiv’s influence

Sudzha, a town in Russia's Kursk region, has become a focal point in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, particularly following Ukraine's military actions in the area. With a population of around 5,000, Sudzha has deep Ukrainian roots, which have been overshadowed by Russia's narrative of historical claims to the region. Ukrainian historians and podcasters, Murza and Redka, visited Sudzha to document its Ukrainian heritage, countering Russian efforts to erase this history. They aimed to create a historical record rather than assert a claim to the territory. The occupation of Sudzha represents a significant development in the war that began with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Ukrainian government has stated its intention to maintain control over the occupied areas in Kursk for military purposes but does not plan to annex them permanently. This contrasts sharply with Russia's cultural policies in occupied Ukrainian territories, where Ukrainian museums have been dismantled or altered to fit a Russian narrative. During their visit, Murza and Redka added a portrait of a Cossack leader to the local museum, symbolizing a reclamation of Sudzha's Ukrainian identity. The local population, particularly the older generation, still speaks Ukrainian or a mix of Ukrainian and Russian, known as surzhyk, highlighting the town's cultural ties to Ukraine. As the conflict continues, the experiences of individuals like Nadezhda, who moved to Kharkiv, reflect the personal toll of the war. Her family’s displacement and the differing perceptions of the war illustrate the complex emotional landscape shaped by the ongoing conflict between the two nations.