Ukraine's President Zelensky asserts substantial Russian casualties in the Kursk region, claiming nearly 15,000 Russian troops killed in the five-month conflict. In a nightly video address, Zelensky detailed what he called "irreversible" losses of nearly 38,000 Russian soldiers in the region alone. The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk began last year.
Recent Ukrainian offensives have intensified in the area, aiming to seize as much territory as possible before the inauguration of Donald Trump. While Kyiv hasn't officially confirmed the attacks, a senior Ukrainian official stated Russia is "getting what it deserves". The Ukrainian military maintains that Russia launched nearly 100 attacks within the Kursk region in the last 24 hours, comprising almost half of all reported assaults across the entire 640-mile front line.
This renewed offensive coincides with Russia's intensified counter-efforts. Reports indicate Russia's defense ministry claims to have repelled Ukrainian attacks in other regions and improved their positions. However, open-source data suggests Ukrainian gains in Kursk. The ongoing conflict demonstrates a complex military dynamic, with both sides vying for territorial advantage.
Separately, a Ukrainian pilot shot down six Russian cruise missiles in a recent sortie. This underscores the ongoing aerial battles. Furthermore, the incoming Trump administration's special envoy has postponed a planned trip to Kyiv until after the inauguration, delaying any immediate potential diplomatic impact. This delay, according to sources, was made by the envoy's team in the days preceding the inauguration.
The situation in Kursk remains dynamic, with intense fighting and conflicting claims from both sides. The evolving battle lines and the ongoing struggle for territory within the region could lead to further escalation or negotiated settlements.
