Ukraine currently controls at least 620 square kilometers in Russia’s Kursk region, three months after launching a surprising cross-border offensive.
Ukraine Destroys the Enemy
Despite pressure from Russian forces, which have amassed around 45,000 troops in the area, and the recent arrival of North Korean soldiers to support Kremlin forces, Ukraine has maintained its hold, according to recent reports from EFE and Digi24
Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that Ukraine continues to “destroy the enemy” in Kursk, with Russia reportedly suffering over 20,000 casualties — including around 8,000 soldiers killed and 12,200 injured — alongside more than 1,000 pieces of military equipment lost.
While Ukraine has not disclosed its own casualty numbers, Ukrainian analysts suggest their losses are notably lower than Russia's.
Not a Static Battle
The type of warfare in Kursk contrasts with the more static battle lines in eastern Ukraine.
According to Oleksi Melnik, a military expert from the Razumkov Center in Kyiv, Ukrainian units have engaged in dynamic maneuvers to avoid Russian artillery fire, with fighting focused on contested areas totaling about 210 square kilometers.
Although Russia’s pressure in Kursk has been heavy, key logistical routes remain under Ukrainian control, with no recent changes in territorial boundaries.
To bolster its forces, Russia has reportedly brought in around 11,000 North Korean soldiers, who are undergoing training by Russian instructors roughly 30 kilometers from the key Ukrainian-held town of Sudzha. This addition of foreign troops marks a new dimension in Moscow’s attempt to reclaim control of Kursk.
Ukraine has deployed some of its most experienced units, including the renowned 47th Magura Brigade, previously active in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
