Ukraine has mounted a fresh offensive in the Kursk region of western Russia, an area where Ukrainian forces have held a foothold since a surprise incursion in August 2024.
The Attack
Russia’s defense ministry reported that Ukrainian forces launched the assault early Sunday near the village of Berdin, deploying:
- Two tanks
- A mine-clearing vehicle
- 12 armored combat vehicles with paratroopers
“Artillery and aviation of the North group of [Russian] forces defeated the assault group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” the ministry stated.
Russia claimed to have repelled two Ukrainian attacks, although reports from Russian military bloggers indicated the assault had initially put Moscow’s forces on the defensive.
Ukrainian Perspective
- Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office, called the developments in Kursk “good news,” adding on Telegram: “Russia is getting what it deserves.”
- Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Centre Against Disinformation, said Russian troops were attacked in multiple locations.
Ground Situation
Russian war bloggers reported initial setbacks but later claimed Russian forces regained control and encircled Ukrainian units north of a highway leading to Kursk city. Acting Kursk Governor Alexander Khinshtein urged residents to trust only official sources and avoid returning to unsafe areas.
North Korean Presence
Reports from Ukrainian and Western sources suggest that 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces in the Kursk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claimed heavy losses among Russian and North Korean units in recent battles, stating that Russia lost “up to a battalion of North Korean infantry soldiers and Russian paratroops” near Makhnovka village.
Strategic Implications
Ukraine’s foothold in Kursk could serve as a bargaining tool in potential peace negotiations. However, by focusing resources on this offensive, Ukraine has reportedly weakened its defenses in its eastern regions, where Russian forces have advanced since August.
Peace Talks Loom
Both sides are aiming to strengthen their positions ahead of potential peace talks this year. The geopolitical landscape could shift further with the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, who has pledged to quickly end the war, though without detailing his approach.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to eject Ukrainian forces from Kursk but has not committed to a timeline.