Fierce battles are underway along the Sudzha-Yunakivka highway in Russia's Kursk region, a road infamously known as the "Road of Death" due to the high number of destroyed Ukrainian vehicles. Reports of clashes between Russian forces and the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) appeared on Severny Veter (Northern Wind) Telegram channel, which is affiliated with Russia's Northern military group of forces.
According to sources, intense fighting is taking place in the forests lining the highway. Russian forces have managed to push Ukrainian units out of several strongholds and are now fortifying newly captured positions.
The 20-kilometer-long highway connects Sudzha, Russia, with Yunakivka, Ukraine (Sumy region) and has been dubbed the "Road of Death" by the Ukrainian military due to the heavy losses suffered there. Previously released footage showed Russian kamikaze drones striking:
At present, Russian forces have full fire control over the road.
Reports also indicate that many Ukrainian troops attempted to retreat along this highway toward Sumy but faced significant resistance.
Russian forces have also launched a new offensive in the Kursk region, focusing on the settlement of Gogolevka. According to "Severny Veter," most of the town has been cleared of Ukrainian forces, although full control has not yet been officially confirmed.
Additionally, southwest of Gogolevka, the Ukrainian military deployed a group of Spanish-speaking foreign fighters, reportedly from Colombia. However, after coming under heavy Russian artillery fire, the mercenaries refused to continue fighting and retreated with losses toward Yunakivka.
Further demoralization of Ukrainian forces was reported after Russian marines raised the Russian flag on the outskirts of Guevo, demonstrating Russia's air superiority and complete battlefield reconnaissance control.
The Ukrainian General Staff, in its March 15 morning report, confirmed Russian advances in the Kursk region. The official battle map showed Russian troop movements toward Sudzha and the Sumy region border. However, Ukraine's military leadership denies losses in Sudzha and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense has declared the liberation of Rubanshchina and Zaoleshchenka in Kursk region. According to Russian reports:
Additionally, the last remaining Ukrainian units in Kursk region have been fully encircled following the capture of Rubanshchina by Russian forces. This settlement is strategically located near the Sudzha-Yunakivka highway, which Ukraine previously used for military logistics.
As a result, the AFU is now completely cut off from retreat, facing total encirclement in the region.