Russia intensified its military operations on Sunday to drive out the last remaining Ukrainian troops from its western Kursk region, after a seven-month-long Ukrainian incursion that has drawn international attention and become a significant front in the ongoing war.
In one of the most striking developments of the three-year conflict, Ukrainian forces launched an unexpected assault into Kursk in August 2024, marking the most substantial attack on Russian soil since the Nazi invasion of 1941. However, after initial successes, Ukraine’s hold on Russian territory has diminished significantly in the face of a powerful Russian counteroffensive.
According to Russian military officials and pro-Russian war bloggers, Ukrainian forces have been forced to retreat in several areas, reducing their occupied territory to just 110 square kilometers (42 square miles), down from the 1,368 square kilometers (528 square miles) they controlled last year. Russian forces have reportedly pushed Ukrainian troops back to the border in some locations, though fighting remains intense.
Yuri Podolyaka, one of Russia’s most influential military bloggers, stated that the battlefield situation remained fluid, with Ukrainian forces resisting fiercely even as they retreated. “Russia has secured significant gains, but the battle is not over,” he wrote on Telegram. “Ukrainian troops are still fighting back, and we should expect more counterattacks before they are completely expelled.”
Battlefield maps from both Russian and Ukrainian sources confirmed that Ukrainian forces remained in two small, connected pockets of occupied territory in Kursk. Russian military officials said their troops were now engaged in clearing extensive minefields left behind by Ukrainian forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has framed the battle for Kursk as a decisive moment in the war, accusing Ukrainian forces of committing crimes against civilians—claims that Kyiv has denied. Amid growing calls for a resolution, Putin stated on Friday that Ukrainian troops in the region would be guaranteed their lives if they surrendered.
Putin’s statement followed a public appeal from U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, who last week urged both sides to seek a peaceful resolution. Trump, who has positioned himself as a potential mediator in the conflict, called on Russia to allow Ukrainian troops to leave the battlefield safely. His comments have sparked debate in both Washington and Moscow, with critics accusing him of undermining U.S. policy on Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, dismissed claims that his forces were surrounded but acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. He also raised concerns over a potential new Russian offensive in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, which borders Kursk.
The pro-Russian military blog “Two Majors” suggested that Russia’s recent gains in Kursk could enable Moscow to open a new front in Sumy. However, the blog also noted that Ukraine had been reinforcing its defenses in the region for months, anticipating a Russian push.
While the exact scale of Russian operations in Sumy remains unclear, Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia may be seeking to expand its territorial gains beyond Kursk. The prospect of a wider Russian offensive has fueled further discussions about Ukraine’s military strategy and the extent of Western support.
One of the most controversial aspects of the battle for Kursk has been Ukraine’s claim that as many as 11,000 North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russian forces. Kyiv has accused Russia of relying on foreign mercenaries and military support from its allies, including North Korea and Iran.
Moscow and Pyongyang have refused to confirm or deny North Korean involvement in the fighting. However, Western intelligence sources have suggested that North Korea has been supplying ammunition and possibly even personnel to Russia in exchange for economic aid and technology transfers.
If true, the presence of North Korean troops would mark a significant escalation in foreign involvement in the Ukraine war, raising concerns about broader geopolitical ramifications.
As the Kursk battles continue, diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire have gained momentum. On Tuesday, the U.S. agreed to resume military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv signaled willingness to consider Washington’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
Putin responded on Thursday, stating that Russia was open to a truce “in principle” but insisted that fighting could not be paused until certain “crucial conditions” were met. Moscow has maintained that any ceasefire would require Ukraine to renounce its NATO ambitions and recognize Russian sovereignty over occupied territories—including areas currently under Ukrainian control.
For Ukraine, accepting such conditions would amount to a major concession, effectively legitimizing Russian territorial gains. Zelensky has repeatedly vowed not to cede Ukrainian land, complicating peace efforts.
Both Russia and Ukraine have suffered immense losses since the war began in February 2022. U.S. intelligence estimates suggest that over 100,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded, with Ukraine suffering similar casualties. Neither side publicly discloses death toll figures.
Beyond the battlefield, the economic costs have been severe. Russia’s economy has been reshaped by record military spending and the toughest Western sanctions in history. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s economy has been devastated, with nearly a fifth of its territory under Russian control despite receiving more than $260 billion in Western aid.
As the war drags on, the conflict has also transformed global geopolitics, pushing Russia closer to China, North Korea, and Iran while deepening NATO’s commitment to Ukraine.
The battle for Kursk has once again demonstrated the unpredictable nature of the Ukraine war. While Russia appears to be regaining lost territory, Ukraine’s resistance remains formidable. As both sides weigh their options—military and diplomatic—the future of the war remains uncertain.
With the U.S. and Russia now engaged in delicate ceasefire negotiations, the world watches to see whether the conflict can be brought to an end—or whether it will continue to spiral into an even bloodier confrontation.
