Ukrainian forces have successfully pushed back against a stronger Russian and North Korean counterattack in western Russia’s Kursk Oblast, securing significant gains despite being outnumbered.
In August, Ukraine launched an invasion force of around 20,000 troops into the oblast, aiming to draw Russian forces away from the front line in eastern Ukraine while also seizing control of part of the region. Three months later, a larger Russian and North Korean force – totaling 60,000 soldiers – counterattacked but failed to eject Ukrainian forces from their salient.
Weakened by heavy fighting, the Russians and North Koreans took an operational pause on February 5, allowing Ukrainian forces to regroup and launch a counterattack. The Ukrainian Siversk Operational Tactical Group advanced along multiple axes, capturing at least two settlements: Kolmakov and Fanaseevka.
Russian forces reported encountering four waves of Ukrainian troops, but their efforts were hindered by poor coordination and technical issues with drones. The Ukrainians successfully deployed mine-resistant trucks and other vehicles, which helped them outmaneuver the Russian army.
North Korean troops who had been withdrawing from Kursk also turned back to counterattack, engaging in groups of 20 soldiers. Despite this, Ukrainian forces continued to push forward, expanding their salient for the first time in many weeks.
Analysts tracking the situation are confident in Ukraine’s advances, and the Ukrainian Control Map has marked significant gains on its map for the first day in months.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/02/07/russian-troops-in-kursk-stood-down-to-rest-thats-the-moment-ukrainian-troops-chose-to-counterattack