Ukraine has escalated its military offensive in Russia's Kursk region, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserting that the war has been "brought back to Russia." As fierce fighting rages near border villages, Kyiv claims that approximately 38,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded in the region since the operation began in August 2024.
Zelenskyy described the offensive as a key effort to undermine Russia's military capabilities. "We continue to maintain a buffer zone on Russian territory, actively destroying Russian military potential there," he said in a statement on Monday. He expressed gratitude to Ukrainian forces, stating, "I thank all our warriors who are bringing the war back to Russia and providing Ukraine with greater security and strength."
The latest assault, launched Sunday, has reportedly targeted Russian military infrastructure in several key locations, including Berdin, Bolshoye Soldatskoye, and Tetkino. Ukrainian officials have suggested that their continued presence in Kursk could provide critical leverage in eventual peace negotiations. "We don't need Russian territory, but we need our territories back," said Yehor Cherniev, chairman of Ukraine's NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation, speaking to ABC News.
Russia has responded with significant reinforcements, including the deployment of North Korean soldiers. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed Monday that two Ukrainian assaults in Kursk were repelled and that operations to "destroy Ukrainian Armed Forces formations" were ongoing. However, Ukrainian forces have made "tactical advances" northeast of Sudzha, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank.
Zelenskyy emphasized the strategic importance of the operation. "The Russians have deployed their strong units to the Kursk region," he said, noting that this prevented Moscow from redirecting forces to other critical fronts in Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, or Zaporizhzhia. He also highlighted Ukraine's progress in securing arms deliveries and strengthening international partnerships. "We are preparing positive diplomatic news for Ukraine," he stated, hinting at forthcoming agreements to bolster Kyiv's position.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's military claimed a successful strike on the command post of Russia's 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade near the village of Belaya in Kursk Oblast on Sunday. The attack marks a continuation of Kyiv's strategy to target Russian military leadership and infrastructure. The General Staff reported that nearly 100 Russian ground assaults were repelled in the area over the past day.
Russia has retaken some of the territory lost in the initial stages of Ukraine's Kursk offensive, with Russian forces reportedly regaining control of approximately half of the 1,300 square kilometers captured by Ukrainian troops in August. However, the operation remains a significant disruption to Moscow's broader military efforts.
The Kursk campaign has drawn sharp criticism from Russian military bloggers, who reported that Ukraine had employed tanks, armored vehicles, and demining equipment in its latest push. These commentators acknowledged heavy fighting near key villages but questioned the effectiveness of Russia's defensive measures.
