Ukraine's armed forces have reportedly launched a brand new offensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Russian media claimed on Feb. 6.
Based on Russian army bloggers, Ukrainian forces allegedly attacked southeast of Sudzha, advancing towards the settlements of Fanaseevka and Ulanok.
The Russian Protection Ministry claimed that Ukraine deployed as much as two mechanized battalions for the offensive. On account of alleged preventing, a fuel pipeline was broken within the Rylskyi district, Kursk Governor Alexander Khinshtein mentioned.
Ukrainian officers haven’t commented on the reported offensive.
The potential operation follows President Volodymyr Zelensky's remarks on Feb. 5 that Ukraine's presence in Kursk Oblast might play an "essential half" in future negotiations to finish Russia's battle.
Since August 2024, Ukrainian forces have maintained positions in Kursk Oblast following a cross-border incursion that originally captured about 1,300 sq. kilometers (500 sq. miles) of Russian territory. Whereas Kyiv has misplaced roughly half of that space since then, fight operations proceed.
Over six months of preventing within the area, Russian losses have reached practically 40,000 personnel, together with over 16,000 killed, Ukraine's Basic Employees reported on Feb. 6, and an additional 909 taken as prisoners of battle (POWs)
Ukraine goals to make use of its foothold in Kursk Oblast as leverage in potential peace talks whereas persevering with to focus on Russian army positions within the area.
Russia's forces in Kursk Oblast have been bolstered by North Korean troops, deployed final fall to assist counter the Ukrainian incursion.
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged that North Korean troops are well-trained and motivated fighters who current a big problem to Ukrainian troopers, although they’ve reportedly suffered heavy casualties.
No less than 300 North Korean troopers have been killed and one other 2,700 wounded preventing in Russia's Kursk Oblast, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) claimed on Jan. 13
The heavy losses of the North Korean military could also be associated to its lack of fight expertise and the tactic of human waves assaults with a restricted quantity of kit, Ukraine's army intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov mentioned on Feb. 4.
Based on Budanov, North Korean troopers assault "nearly with none fight automobiles."
Budanov additionally instructed that the North Korean army is so keen to advance on foot in opposition to Ukrainian drones and artillery due to its loyalty to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
He added that their disregard for private security makes Ukraine's protection more difficult.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
On Jan. 22, Troopers of the eighth Regiment of Ukraine's Particular Operations Forces released footage of them resisting a North Korean assault in Russia’s Kursk Oblast for eight hours earlier than retreating, killing 21 and wounding 40 troopers.
In a video, a big assault group of purportedly North Korean troopers is seen crossing an open area and forest, adopted by shut fight footage with solely dozens of meters between the 2 sides. Ultimately, graphic footage exhibits killed troopers claimed to be North Koreans.
"On the ninth hour of the battle, the Particular Operations Forces had solely a 3rd of their ammunition left. They spent the remaining on destroying (North Korean forces)," the Telegram submit learn.
The Ukrainian fighters held off the assault with small arms, grenade launchers, and snipers. Finally, the Ukrainian troops retreated in two Humvees, the submit learn.
The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell