CNN gains access to Ukrainian-held Russian town

Get a view of the war between Russia and Ukraine, unlike any that we've seen until now from occupied Russian soil. Ukrainian forces are now holding parts of Russian territory. President Zelensky says they've taken control of a Russian town about six miles across the border. Our Nick Paton Walsh was able to gain some the first access to Ukrainian held Russia Today and witnessed their control over the town and the intensity of the fight. CNN was accompanied by the Ukrainian military, which reviewed the video you're about to see without sound prior to its release for operational security reasons. That said, they had no editorial control over what you're about to see. Here's Nick's report, and we want to warn you some of what you're about to see is graphic. This was never in Putin's plan, but still into Russia. We cross with Ukrainian forces moving forward through the border posts they destroyed in their surprise assault ten days ago. As we get closer towards Sochi. We can see more smoke on the horizon. But still it's bizarrely calm on this road. And pause a moment in these open fields. And remember, this is the Cold War superpower unguarded, open and never expecting. When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his war of choice two years ago to be invaded back, a Russian dead soldier still in the road, Ukraine only claimed here a day ago. But not even the statue of Lenin is unscathed here. This Ukrainian assault so persistent. And Russia, despite its sense of history, its sort of past, is being some impregnable, completely unable to push the Ukrainians out. Hear the sound of small arms fire? We can still hear so clearly. There is a bid for the Russians to push back, but simply isn't working. And the humiliation for Putin endures. Days ago, locals had honored their war dead, but none since the Nazis led Russia to face occupation. And see the damage that's been done to this street here, from intense fighting and rage to still clearly active fighting happening here, a sign in the basement here that if peaceful people, no soldiers in 68 says 60 civilians are there, why should any better? You know, you don't know. It's just like we've seen in multiple Ukrainian towns over the last two years. Yeah. The locals trying to find some shelter from the war around. So let's take a closer look. Stanislav shows his gray veneer at the Sochi. Still a you can usually look in the dark. Hundreds. Like so many Ukrainians now, the infirmed, isolated, begging for calm. Activity. According to the Russian. So that really mean the minute you. Feeling more ready for. Him to the military. Day night light dark news or blackout or blur into one. You get in the worst and you don't know for sort. You give it up. If he more is over 90 and wants to leave to Ukraine, but there is no route out. He says they took a better wait to find out more fun for them. Yeah. You know, and then you any, you know, a yeah you the rookie. Hey, I need one more year. When you hear Ukraine's again. Ordinary streets that never guessed of their destruction or new found fame days ago awakened in the storm around them. Normal life here vanished in a hurry. Leaving store floors as barracks. And Nina, 74, out looking for a pharmacy for her medication. You three if you have a regular gym with those in the region. Seven years specifically to. This seven years. Glad this she mama my cousin Ukrainians regime they love these images. She was she's been in mind to. It is a war that keeps turning the world order on its head, where wreckage that lined Ukraine's fields now haunts Russia's. Ukrainians learn to paint over their road signs to confuse the invaders. But still, here, the signs ask God to protect and save Russia. That was Putin's job. It is not clear when he's coming back. Now, Anderson, it's clear that Ukraine does have the ability to protect force pretty far outside of such. we're not quite clear why there was so little drone or aviation threat from the Russians inside that town. we were told, because the main fighting was using all that capacity from Russia further away from where we were. But we also saw to the volume of equipment and resources Ukraine is still pouring into that part of Russia that it's taken, including a trip we were on, was designed to show how much in control they are and relatively calm they are in itself. But it is not all good news here. This surprise assault has certainly brought them international attention and the idea that they're on their front foot. But elsewhere in the east, near Prokhorov, a vital Ukrainian military hub, they're seeing Russia getting closer and closer, potentially within 3 or 4 miles of the outskirts of that key area. And indeed, if Russia were able to use its artillery on that hub, it would be a significant loss for the Ukrainian operations in the east, in the Donbas. So give and take, certainly, but be no doubt at all. What we're seeing in the Kursk region is Ukraine boldly pushing forward, and it's fair to say, not about to give up any time soon. Anderson. Nick Paton Walsh, thank you. Be careful.