Ukraine loses ground in Kursk amid Russian counteroffensive
Ukraine has lost over 40% of the territory it had occupied in the Kursk region as of August. Russian counterattacks have compelled Ukrainian forces to retreat, according to a report by Reuters.
A Ukrainian military source revealed that Russia has stationed approximately 59,000 soldiers in the Kursk region. "At our peak, we controlled about 1,400 square kilometres; now that territory has been reduced," the source stated. Currently, Ukraine controls about 800 square kilometres. "We will hold this territory as long as it remains strategically sound," the informant added.
Kyiv, advancing towards the Kursk region, aimed to thwart Russian attacks in eastern and northeastern Ukraine. These efforts were meant to compel Russia to redeploy forces from other areas and to strengthen Ukraine's position in future peace negotiations.
A source in the Ukrainian General Staff reported that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers have arrived in the Kursk region, but most of them are still undergoing training.
The Financial Times has published maps showing changes in Kursk's operational area at various stages, as informed by the In Factum portal.
The Kurakhiv direction is currently the most perilous for Kyiv. Russian forces are advancing there at a rate of 200 to 300 metres per day, and in some areas, they have managed to break through with the aid of armoured vehicles supported by anti-drone defences.
Russia currently has approximately 575,000 soldiers deployed in Ukraine and plans to increase this number to 690,000.
