Russian Forces Launch Counteroffensive in Kursk

Russia's Full-Force Counteroffensive

There are several signs that Russia is finally launching a full-force counteroffensive against Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Ukraine's President Zelensky confirmed this during a briefing on Thursday, stating that the Russian counteroffensive actions were in line with Ukraine's plan. On the same day, Russia's Defense Ministry (MoD) announced that its offensive to reclaim Russian territory is in full swing, with nearly a dozen towns in the southern border region already under its control.

Settlements Liberated by Russian Forces

The MoD stated that the 'North' grouping of forces had liberated 10 settlements within two days. Additionally, the group had repelled two enemy counterattacks near the towns of Fanaseyevka and Snagost, and prevented an attempted attack near the town of Olgovka. Pro-Russian war bloggers have also reported that Russian forces are involved in a "local counteroffensive" in the Korenevsky district, near Ukraine's Sumy region.

Ukrainian Territory Captured and Russian Evacuation

Since the cross-border incursion on August 6, Kiev's leadership has claimed to have captured approximately 500 square miles of Russian territory, including around 100 towns and villages. However, this claim has not been verified. What is clear, however, is the massive scale of the Russian evacuation efforts. Reports suggest that 100,000 Russians fled border regions in the weeks following the invasion, with the current estimate standing at 150,000 evacuees.

Ukrainian Forces' Losses

The MoD reported that in the last few days of the counteroffensive, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) suffered losses of over 300 troops and 24 units of hardware. Moscow claims that the Kiev forces have lost over 12,500 in the Kursk operation, along with a significant amount of military equipment, according to recently published figures in state sources.

Ukrainian Troops Surrendering

Russian sources have reported that Ukrainian troops are surrendering in large numbers. For instance, RT reported a video showing a large group of men walking down a street with their hands up, potentially indicating surrender. The conflict continues to be a brutal war of attrition.

Western Officials' Stance

Despite the situation, Western officials continue to support the Ukraine operation. British Defense Secretary John Healey recently stated before the House of Commons that "the longer they hold Kursk, the weaker Putin becomes. The longer they hold Kursk, the better defended Ukraine will be." However, the current state of the battle in Ukraine's east tells a different story.

Bottom Line

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to evolve, with Russia now launching a full-force counteroffensive in Kursk. The situation is complex and continues to have significant implications for both countries and the wider international community. What are your thoughts on this development? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.