Russia breaks through front lines, thousands of Ukrainian troops face encirclement: Military operation begins
The front line in the Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces occupied in August 2024, has collapsed. Russia, having launched an encirclement operation against the Ukrainian army, has begun a military maneuver to surround the entirety of Kursk. As a result of the Ukrainian withdrawal from the southern line, a 'breach' has formed on the front, and Russia has also begun a breakthrough operation from the north to encircle Ukrainian troops.
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Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers stationed in Russia's Kursk region have been 'nearly' encircled by Russian forces. The situation for Ukraine in this region has deteriorated significantly over the last three days following the Russian army's counter-offensive. Russian forces have nearly split the Ukrainian units in two, cutting them off from their main supply lines.
Ukraine's presence in Kursk was part of a strategy that Kyiv hoped to use as leverage in potential peace negotiations with Moscow. However, Russia's counter-offensive has largely disrupted this plan. Finland-based military analyst Pasi Paroinen commented, ''The situation in Kursk is very bad for Ukraine.''
According to a report by The Guardian, the developments in Ukraine came after the US suspended intelligence sharing with Kyiv. This has raised concerns that Ukrainian troops may face the risk of being forced to retreat or being captured. Military analyst Yan Matveev stated that Ukraine is forced to make a difficult choice.
According to mapping by Deep State, a military blog source close to Ukraine, about three-quarters of the Ukrainian forces inside Russia have been almost completely encircled. Ukrainian troops are maintaining their connection with support forces positioned near the Russian border through a land corridor only 1 km long and less than 500 meters wide. Russian forces have moved to cut off this corridor as well.
Deep State reported that Russia is also applying pressure on Ukrainian positions in the Sumy region and attempting to cut off supply routes to Ukrainian troops in Kursk.
The latest situation on the Kursk front. Red areas show Russia's progress over the last week. While blue areas represent regions controlled by Ukraine, yellow parts indicate unconfirmed Russian advances Source: Institute for the Study of War
RUSSIA'S ATTACKS INCREASED
Russia launched large-scale ballistic missile and drone attacks across Ukraine one day after the US stopped intelligence sharing with Ukraine. These attacks occurred while a Ukrainian delegation was preparing to meet with US officials in Saudi Arabia next week to discuss ending the war.
Former US President Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth Social account, criticized Russia's attacks and stated, ''I am seriously considering imposing large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions, and tariffs on Russia.'' He also stated that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin and that reaching an agreement with Ukraine is more difficult.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in response to Russia's attacks, called for a ceasefire covering air and sea, stating the following:
''The first steps to establishing a real peace must be to force Russia, the sole source of this war, to stop such attacks.''