The Ukrainian army has lost control over more than 40 percent of the territories it occupied in the Kursk region. This was reported by the "Reuters" agency, citing a source in the military command in Kyiv. The agency's interlocutor also clarified that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not currently withdrawing from the region, intending to "hold the territory for as long as it is militarily sensible."
The Ukrainian army entered the Kursk region in August (at the peak of the breakthrough, it controlled over 1300 square kilometers of territory; now it is about 800 square kilometers - ed.). Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that the Kursk region will be liberated. Reports indicate that Moscow has concentrated around 59,000 troops there. Additionally, an 11,000-strong contingent from North Korea has reportedly been sent there.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that, according to his information, Putin intends to drive the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the Kursk region by January 20, 2025 – the date of the inauguration of the elected U.S. President Donald Trump.