On March 26, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted a Russian command and observation post near Viktorovka and Uspenovka in Kursk Oblast, eliminating the commander of the 1st Battalion, 9th Motor Rifle Regiment. This strike, part of ongoing operations in the region following a larger incursion in August, reflects Ukraine’s strategy of weakening Russian capabilities by targeting key command centers. While the claims remain unverified, the attack underscores the continued conflict within Russian territory. These actions aim to diminish Russia’s offensive potential.
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Following a six-month Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, a Russian drone offensive in late February crippled Ukrainian supply lines, forcing a withdrawal of approximately 10,000 troops. This organized retreat, despite some chaotic elements, refuted claims by President Trump of a surrounded and vulnerable Ukrainian force. Experts contradict Trump’s assertion, emphasizing the absence of encircled troops and the successful evacuation. Trump’s statement appears to align with Putin’s narrative amidst potential ceasefire negotiations.
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Facing a critical situation in Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian forces are assessing a potential withdrawal of approximately 10,000 troops threatened by encirclement following Russian breakthroughs that severed supply lines. This follows reports of decreased US intelligence sharing, impacting operations and potentially weakening Ukraine’s negotiating position in upcoming peace talks. The Russian offensive involved a significant role from North Korean troops, redeployed to the region after a temporary pullback. A Ukrainian incursion launched in August 2024 has resulted in substantial territorial losses for Ukraine in the ensuing six months of fighting.
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In Kursk Oblast, Russia, the Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade decisively repelled an assault by the Russian 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, utilizing mines and drone strikes to inflict heavy casualties. This victory, following earlier successes against Russian and North Korean forces, expands the Ukrainian salient in the region, a strategically important area. The salient’s capture serves as a bargaining chip in potential negotiations with Russia, although these are complicated by President Trump’s demands for Ukrainian resources in exchange for continued U.S. aid. The 47th Brigade’s continued success buys time for President Zelenskyy to navigate these complex diplomatic and political challenges.
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A Ukrainian MiG-29 jet successfully struck a Russian drone team operating near the border in Kursk Oblast, destroying their position with a salvo of precision bombs. The target, a platoon from the 60th Motor Rifle Brigade, was launching drones that had been harassing Ukrainian forces in Sumy Oblast. This attack may represent a broader Ukrainian strategy to proactively target drone operators, particularly as Russia deploys more difficult-to-counter fiber-optic drones. The continued success of such raids, however, hinges on the ongoing supply of Western-made munitions, which faces uncertainty amid potential geopolitical shifts.
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On February 6th, Ukrainian forces launched a battalion-sized mechanized assault in Kursk Oblast, advancing up to 5 kilometers behind Russian lines. The assault, involving 30-50 armored vehicles, resulted in the seizure of Kolmakov and Fanaseyevka, with conflicting reports regarding Ukrainian control of Cherkasskaya Konopelka and Ulanok. Intense fighting ensued, with Russian sources reporting heavy Ukrainian losses but acknowledging continued Ukrainian presence near the contested settlements. The Ukrainian General Staff reported repelling several Russian attacks, while the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have repelled all Ukrainian advances.
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A reported Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, involving approximately 500 personnel and 50 armored vehicles, targeted the settlements of Cherkasskaya Konopelka and Ulanok. Russian sources claim the attack was repelled, citing significant Ukrainian losses, while also reporting damage to a gas pipeline. Conversely, some Russian milbloggers reported Ukrainian success in seizing Ulanok. The Ukrainian General Staff, however, did not acknowledge the offensive in its report, focusing instead on repelling Russian attacks elsewhere.
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Addressing the World Economic Forum, President Zelenskyy announced that 4,000 of the 12,000 North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast have been killed, highlighting Putin’s strategy of involving other nations in the war. Ukraine’s August incursion into Kursk Oblast served as a preventative measure, diverting Russian forces and protecting Sumy. Zelenskyy also criticized delays in US aid, impacting Ukraine’s eastern front, while expressing uncertainty regarding the extent of Iran’s military involvement. The high casualty rate among North Korean troops raises concerns about the sustainability of their deployment.
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Ukrainian forces captured a North Korean soldier in January near the Kursk Oblast border, who refused to relinquish his sausage even when confronted. The soldier, one of three captured since October, later attempted self-harm. Ukrainian accounts describe the North Koreans as engaging in human-wave attacks, lacking tactical sophistication, yet demonstrating a willingness to recover their wounded. These tactics, along with a strong aversion to capture, have resulted in significant North Korean casualties fighting alongside Russian forces.
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On January 11, 2024, a Russian airstrike on a nursing home in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, resulted in one fatality and significant damage to the facility, leaving approximately 70 elderly and disabled residents displaced. The attack, confirmed by Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi, occurred amidst renewed Ukrainian offensive operations in the region and follows reports of captured North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces. The incident highlights the vulnerability of civilians in the conflict zone and the challenges of relocating vulnerable populations. This attack occurred in an area previously visited by media on Ukrainian military-organized press tours.
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John Q. Hosedrinker