Intense Fighting Erupts in Western Russia as Moscow Claims Victories in Ukraine
Fierce combat has erupted in the Kursk region of western Russia, where Russian forces have reported significant advancements in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Monday that its troops have successfully taken control of Kurakhove, a town located 32 kilometers south of Pokrovsk, which has been a strategic logistics hub for Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered these claims, stating that Russia has suffered substantial losses, estimating that nearly 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the ongoing conflict within the Kursk region over the last five months. However, Zelenskyy did not comment specifically on the situation in Kurakhove.
The Russian military indicated that the capture of Kurakhove, which had resisted for several weeks, would allow them to intensify their operations in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. In addition to Kurakhove, they also reported taking Dachenske, a settlement close to Pokrovsk.
Despite these claims, Ukrainian military spokesperson Viktor Trehubov stated that Ukrainian forces were still actively engaged with Russian troops in Kurakhove as of Monday morning. Monitoring organization DeepState, which uses open-source data to track the front lines, indicated that most of Kurakhove is now under Russian control.
Both sides are eager to solidify their positions as they anticipate the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, who has expressed intentions to swiftly resolve the nearly three-year conflict.
Ukraine's recent military strategy has focused on maintaining and controlling territories within the Kursk region, which could serve as leverage in potential peace negotiations. Details of the new Ukrainian offensive launched on Sunday remain sparse, but a senior Ukrainian official alluded to Russia receiving its due consequences.
In a recent address, Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces have created a buffer zone and inflicted considerable casualties on Russian troops in Kursk, hindering Moscow's ability to mobilize its forces in critical areas along the eastern front. He reported that Ukrainian operations in the Kursk area have resulted in approximately 38,000 Russian soldier casualties, with about 15,000 of these being irreversible losses.
In response, the Russian Defense Ministry asserted that it has thwarted the Ukrainian advance, claiming to have destroyed a significant part of the attacking forces near the settlement of Berdin, which is situated along a key route leading northeast to the city of Kursk.
Major General Apti Alaudinov, a senior commander of Chechen forces fighting alongside Russia, indicated that further Ukrainian attacks are anticipated, citing a buildup of Ukrainian military equipment in other directions.
Independent military analysts suggest that Ukraine is likely trying to hold onto its positions in Kursk for as long as possible while Russian forces push further into eastern Ukraine. Some experts believe the main thrust of the Ukrainian offensive may still be forthcoming, as current engagements appear to involve smaller unit actions with limited territorial gains.
Reports suggest that around 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to assist Russian efforts in Kursk, though Russia has not confirmed their presence. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that over 1,000 North Korean personnel have reportedly been killed or injured, but these figures remain unverified due to restricted access to the conflict area.
In light of the renewed hostilities, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that Ukraine has the right to defend itself, asserting that this right extends beyond its borders, especially in light of ongoing Russian attacks originating from the Kursk region.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening Ukraine's position on the battlefield by increasing security assistance and utilizing all available resources authorized by Congress. The UK has also committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.
