Photo: from open sources
Ukrainian troops appear on the verge of losing a foothold in the Kursk region after seven months of fierce fighting, as Russia claims further advances and military analysts on both sides report a Ukrainian withdrawal.
This was reported by Reuters.
Ukrainian breakthrough in Kursk: from triumph to retreat?
On 6 August 2024, Ukraine made one of the most unexpected strikes of the war, breaking through the border and seizing territory in Russia’s Kursk region. This was a powerful moral impetus for Ukrainian society and could have become a bargaining chip in possible negotiations.
However, after seven months of holding the bridgehead, the situation deteriorated sharply.
Russia claims to be making progress
On 12 March, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported that it had taken control of five more settlements in the Kursk region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “the dynamics are good”.
Reuters has been able to verify a video published by Russian bloggers and state media showing Russian soldiers with a tricolour in the centre of Suzha, a town close to the Ukrainian border. Suzha is one of the main supply routes for Ukrainian troops in the region.
Ukrainian commanders deny encirclement, but retreat to new positions
The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces denied claims that Ukrainian troops were surrounded, but admitted that they had taken up more favourable defensive positions.
The Ukrainian military blogger Skadovskyi Defender wrote on Telegram that “the Ukrainian Armed Forces are leaving Kursk. Not a single Ukrainian soldier will be left there by Friday”.
At the same time, according to him, Ukraine continues massive strikes on Suja.
Russian losses and humanitarian consequences
Russian authorities reported that four civilian workers at a feed mill were killed on Wednesday by Ukrainian shelling northeast of Suzha.
Due to restrictions on the coverage of the fighting, Reuters was unable to independently confirm the statements of either side.
Analysis: Is the Ukrainian invasion of Russia coming to an end?
Russian independent analyst Ruslan Leviev believes that “the history of the Kursk bridgehead is coming to an end”.
“Perhaps this story will end today. Perhaps the Ukrainians will try to hold the border villages for a few more days. But in general, Ukrainian troops are leaving,” he told the Dozhd TV channel .
Ukraine agrees to a truce
Meanwhile, on 11 March, Kyiv agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US.
The Kremlin has said it needs more information from Washington before it can give an official response on the terms of the truce.
What’s next?
Ukrainian troops may completely withdraw from the Kursk region in the coming days, which would be a major symbolic moment in the war.
However, the strategic implications of this retreat for future negotiations remain to be seen. The US-initiated ceasefire may give Ukraine a chance to regroup, but is Russia ready to agree to a pause in the fighting?
