Ukraine has lost more than 40 percent of the territory it seized in Russia’s Kursk region during its surprise invasion in August as Russian forces launched wave after wave of counterattacks, a senior Ukrainian military source said.
The source, close to Ukraine’s General Staff, said Russia deployed 59,000 troops to the Kursk region after the infiltration and rapid advance of Ukrainian forces caught Moscow off guard.
“At the peak, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometers, now of course the area is smaller. The enemy is intensifying counterattacks. We now control about 800 square kilometers. We will hold these territories for as long as it is considered convenient from a military point of view,” said the source cited by Reuters.
By invading Kursk, Kiev hoped it would halt Russian attacks in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, force Russia to withdraw forces slowly advancing on the eastern front, and gain greater leverage in any future peace negotiations. But Russian forces are still continuing their advance in the eastern region of Donetsk.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s main goals were to seize all of Donbas (consisting of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions) and drive Ukrainian forces out of Kursk. “I’m sure he wants to push us back until January 20,” he told reporters. “It is very important (for Putin) to show that he is in control of the situation,” he added.
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the new president of the United States.
The General Staff source also reiterated that around 11,000 North Korean soldiers have arrived in the Kursk region to support the Russians but most of them have not yet completed their training.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The agency was unable to independently verify the information or descriptions of this Ukrainian source.
However, according to the source, the biggest threat to Ukraine at the moment is in the area of Kurakhove, where Russian forces are advancing by 200-300 meters daily and have managed to break the Ukrainian defense in some places. The city of Kurakhove is only a short distance from Pokrovsk, a logistics hub in the Donetsk region.
Today, Russia has deployed about 575,000 troops in Ukraine and plans to increase them to 690,000, he also claimed.
The same source said the Ukrainian military is taking steps to strengthen air defenses in Kiev and is making similar plans for Sumy in the north and Kharkiv in the northeast.
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#Ukrainian #forces #lost #territory #occupied #Kursk
**Given the reported involvement of North Korean troops, what are the potential implications for the international community’s efforts to de-escalate the conflict and find a peaceful resolution in Ukraine?**
## World Today News: Interview on the Ukrainian Offensive in Kursk
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re discussing the recent developments in Ukraine’s offensive in the Kursk region, a strategically important area bordering Russia. We’ve invited two expert guests to help us understand the situation:[**Guest1NameandCredentials**specializinginmilitarystrategyand**Guest2NameandCredentials**focusingongeopoliticalanalysis[**Guest1NameandCredentials**specializinginmilitarystrategyand**Guest2NameandCredentials**focusingongeopoliticalanalysis[**Guest1NameandCredentials**specializinginmilitarystrategyand**Guest2NameandCredentials**focusingongeopoliticalanalysis[**Guest1NameandCredentials**specializinginmilitarystrategyand**Guest2NameandCredentials**focusingongeopoliticalanalysis
**Section 1: Offensive and Losses:**
**Host:** Ukrainian forces made significant gains in Kursk, but reportedly lost a substantial portion of the territory. Can you give us a clearer picture of the situation? What factors led to the Ukrainian’s initial success, and what contributed to the Russian pushback?
**Guest 1:**
* Discuss the initial Ukrainian advance, focusing on tactical maneuvers or potential intelligence failures that allowed them to capitalize on a surprised Russian front.
* Analyze the Russian counteroffensive, highlighting their troop deployment strategy, possible changes in tactics, and use of resources.
**Guest 2:**
* Offer a broader geopolitical perspective on Russia’s reaction to the incursion. How does this fit into the larger context of the conflict?
* What are the strategic implications of Ukraine losing ground, and how does this impact the ongoing negotiations and international support for Ukraine?
**Section 2: The Role of North Korea:**
**Host:** There are reports suggesting North Korean troops have arrived to support Russia in Kursk. How significant is this development, and what are the potential implications for the conflict’s trajectory?
**Guest 1:**
* Analyze the capability and training level of the reported North Korean soldiers. How effectively can they bolster Russian forces in the field?
**Guest 2:**
* Discuss the international ramifications of North Korea’s involvement. What message does this send to the international community, and how might it influence global security dynamics?
* Can this development change the balance of power within the conflict itself, maneuvering alliances, and impacting future negotiations?
**Section 3: Future Prospects and Strategic Offensive:**
**Host:** How do you see this conflict evolving in Kursk and the broader Ukrainian theater in the coming weeks and months? What are the key challenges and opportunities facing both sides?
**Guest 1:**
* Analyze the current vulnerabilities and strengths of both Ukrainian and Russian forces in Kursk.
* Predict potential future military strategies and maneuvers.
* Discuss the impact of Russia’s reported troop increase and its strategic significance.
**Guest 2:**
* Offer a geopolitical perspective on the possible outcomes of this conflict.
* Discuss how this Offensive might impact Western support for Ukraine and its potential influence on peace negotiations.
**Section 4: Wider Implications:**
**Host:** This offensive has sparked concerns beyond immediate battlefield outcomes. What are the broader implications for Ukraine’s goals, Russia’s strategy, and the international community’s role in this conflict?
**Guest 1:**
* Discuss the impact of the Kursk offensive on Ukraine’s ability to achieve its war aims.
* Analyze how the situation might influence future military operations within Ukraine.
**Guest 2:**
* Analyze the broader ramifications for international security, including the potential for escalation and the role of global powers.
* Discuss the scope of international support for Ukraine moving forward and the challenges involved in resolving the conflict.
**Conclusion:**
Thank you to our guests for their insightful analysis. The situation in Kursk highlights the ongoing complexity and fluidity of the conflict in Ukraine. It underscores the importance of continued vigilance, diplomatic efforts, and a commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to this devastating war.
Remember, you can find more information and updates on the conflict in Ukraine on our website, world-today-news.com
