Ukraine has lost over 40% of the area it captured in August during a surprise military operation in the Kursk region of Russia, according to the Reuters report. At first, Moscow was unprepared for the bold invasion, which gave Ukrainian forces the opportunity to seize more than 1,376 square kilometers.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
However, Russian counteroffensives have reduced Ukraine’s control to approximately 800 square kilometers, according to a senior official from Ukraine’s General Staff.
“The enemy is intensifying its counterattacks. We will hold this territory as long as it remains militarily viable,” the source said.
Russia has reportedly mobilized 59,000 troops to the Kursk region to mount these counterassaults. The original objective of Ukraine’s incursion was to disrupt Russian advances in the eastern Donetsk region, draw back enemy forces, and gain leverage in any future peace negotiations.
However, Russian forces continue to make incremental gains in Donetsk.
Moving on, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has linked Russia’s determination to retake Kursk to a broader goal of occupying the Donbas region, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk.
He also speculated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is pushing to solidify his control before January 20, aligning his timeline with the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president.
“For Putin, the top priority is to push us out of Kursk. I believe he wants to achieve this by January 20 to demonstrate control,” Zelenskiy stated.
Adding a controversial twist to the conflict, the Ukrainian military has alleged the arrival of 11,000 North Korean troops in Kursk to support Russia. While these forces are reportedly still completing training, their involvement signals a potential escalation.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on these claims, and the presence of North Korean troops remains unverified.
However, Moscow continues to hold significant portions of Ukrainian territory, and its military buildup in Kursk suggests the region remains a high priority.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings