Russian officials declare protest by Sudzha refugees in Kursk unlawful

Anatoly Drogan, a representative from the Kursk Oblast Administration’s internal policy department, approached the protesters and demanded they leave the square and move to a public reception area to draft a collective appeal. The demonstrators, however, refused.

“It doesn’t matter to us where we freeze. Out here or somewhere else, what’s the difference? We’re not home anyway,” one of the women participating in the protest said.

Initially, Drogan asked the group to “appoint leaders” who could receive a copy of the collective appeal and keep in touch. But he later declared that the residents of Sudzha were holding an “illegal public demonstration.”

“You’re being pushed toward illegal actions. We live under a counter-terrorist operation regime, unfortunately, and it’s not up to the authorities. The government didn’t drive any enemies to the border. This is war... It’s not under the government’s control. There was a breakthrough, and the troops stationed there died. Believe me, those responsible have been detained. If it makes you feel any better, the soldiers who allowed the breakthrough — if they survived — will be punished,” Drogan told the crowd.

The protesters shouted back that only “conscripts with rifles” were stationed at the border and demanded that “the generals” be punished. They also called on the authorities to acknowledge that a war is happening.

One protester asked why the head of the Sudzha District, Oleksandr Bohachov, didn’t come to speak to them.

“Do you want to talk with us or just shout? If you’re going to keep yelling, this will end right now,” Drogan replied.

Another official who came out to address the crowd promised a meeting with the governor on Nov. 12. However, a protest participant later told 7x7 that “the governor is not ready” to meet with Sudzha residents, and the meeting would instead be with the district head.