Kyiv's Kursk offensive: Heavy Russian losses, new dynamics
The General Staff of Ukraine reported that Kyiv's operation in the Kursk region has been ongoing for half a year. Russia has lost nearly 40,000 soldiers there during this time. Over 16,000 have been killed, and 900 have been taken prisoner.
The Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region has caused significant losses to the Russian armed forces. The General Staff of Ukraine announced that during six months of military operations, Russia lost around 40,000 soldiers, of which over 16,000 were killed.
900 Russian soldiers have been taken captive by Ukrainian forces. Injuries and wounds have removed additional ranks of the invading army from the battlefield.
Importance of the Kursk region
The Kursk region has become a key element in negotiations with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised that this area will be a significant argument in discussions about ending the conflict.
Ukrainian forces currently control hundreds of square kilometres of a buffer zone on Russian territory. This has forced the Russians to relocate considerable war resources to this region.
In light of massive losses, Russia has turned to North Korea for assistance. Support in the form of 12,000 Pyongyang troops has been dispatched to the Kursk region.
According to the General Staff of Ukraine, the losses of the North Korean contingent amounted to about 4,000 people, leading to their withdrawal from the front line. The Ukrainian Kursk offensive, while weakening the military forces on internal fronts, has ultimately slightly undermined the Russians' positions.
