Ukrainian forces have initiated a significant new offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, an area that Ukraine gained control of in parts over the summer months. However, in recent times, Ukraine has faced challenges in maintaining its hold on the region amidst pressure from Russian and North Korean forces.
Both Ukrainian and Russian authorities have acknowledged the offensive, but there are conflicting reports regarding the scope and effectiveness of the operation. Andrii Kovalenko, the director of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, stated on Telegram that Ukrainian troops were engaged in multiple directions to confront the Russian forces, causing “great distress” in Moscow due to the unexpected nature of the offensive.
“Andriy Yermak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, echoed these sentiments, remarking on Telegram that “Russia is facing the consequences it deserves.” The Ukrainian General Staff of the Armed Forces has not issued an official statement regarding the Kursk offensive, and President Zelensky and the Ministry of Defense have also remained silent on the matter.
The Russian Ministry of Defense communicated through Telegram that Ukraine had launched the offensive on Sunday morning Moscow time, deploying two tanks, a mine-clearing vehicle, and twelve armored combat vehicles with landing troops. Russian officials asserted that they had successfully repelled the initial advance, although efforts to thwart the assault were ongoing.
Russian military bloggers corroborated the ongoing major offensive, with popular writer Rybar posting on his Telegram channel that Ukraine had mobilized several formations from the neighboring Ukrainian region of Sumy into Kursk. Rybar highlighted that Ukraine’s primary efforts were centered around the city of Sudzha, which was captured by Ukraine in August, and extending north towards the district of Bolshesoldatsky.
This offensive follows Ukraine’s surprise invasion of Kursk in August, marking the first foreign invasion on Russian soil since World War II. However, the initial invasion has lost momentum and faced significant opposition from a Russian counter-attack supported by a substantial presence of North Korean troops. Ukraine has ceded significant territory to the Russian forces and has been on the defensive in the region for over a month.
President Zelensky has emphasized the strategic importance of the Kursk operation, aiming to divert Russian attention from the main conflict in eastern Ukraine while also targeting prisoners, dismantling Russian military capabilities, and demonstrating Moscow’s vulnerabilities.
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