Recent reports indicate that Russian military forces are intensifying their counterattacks against Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. A new map highlights the latest developments in this ongoing conflict.
Since initiating an ambitious campaign in August, Ukraine claims to have taken control of approximately 500 square miles in the Kursk oblast, a move that has raised concerns about the potential for overextension, especially given Russian advances in the Donetsk region.
As of Friday, it appears Russian forces have made significant strides into the heart of the Ukrainian salient, reportedly “almost fully” removing a smaller Ukrainian stronghold in the Glushkovsky district, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Russian military sources claim that troops have encircled Ukrainian forces in the villages of Lyubimovka and Tolsty Lug. However, the D.C.-based think tank has not been able to verify these claims or reports of large-scale Russian assaults or any recaptured settlements.
Andrii Kovalenko from Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council countered these assertions, stating that Russia’s strategy in the Kursk oblast has been significantly hindered and their forces have faced large equipment losses.
The latest ISW map reflects Russian movements toward the south and west of Veseloye, as well as the north of Lyubimovka, over the past couple of days.
According to the open-source intelligence group DeepState UA, while the situation in the Kursk region remains challenging, Ukrainians still maintain control and are focused on “stabilization” efforts, though regaining lost territory has been tough.
They stated, “The enemy has incurred significant losses during their assaults, making it challenging for them to establish a strong presence.” The situation appears particularly dire in Lyubimovka, with further developments hinging on the outcomes of ongoing military maneuvers.
The ISW suggests that Russia is likely working to push Ukrainian forces back from Kursk while the ground conditions remain dry, as inclement autumn and winter weather could hamper movements and encourage Ukrainians to entrench.
In earlier remarks, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, disclosed that Russia has deployed around 50,000 troops to Kursk, soldiers reassigned from other fronts. However, he pointed out that this shift has weakened Russia’s positions in areas like Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Kramatorsk.